The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN); the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME), the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and other stakeholders, today inaugurated an inter-agency committee on industrial energy efficiency (IEE) policies and regulations in Nigeria.
The GEF and UNIDO project, titled “Improving Nigeria’s Industrial Energy Performance and Resource Efficient Cleaner Production through Programmatic Approaches and the Promotion of Innovation in Clean Technology Solutions (NIG IEE/RECP Project),” was launched in Abuja to enhance industrial environmental energy performance in Nigeria.
The director of ECN, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi in his address, revealed that the project aims to accelerate the adoption of industrial energy efficiency (IEE) and improve enterprise environmental performance through resource efficiency and cleaner production (RECP) best practices in Nigeria.
He explained that industrial energy efficiency, which is the focus of the project, is multi-dimensional in nature, cutting across various sectors of the economy. Abdullahi noted that the committee’s inauguration marks a crucial step toward achieving Nigeria’s national development priorities and promoting sustainable industrial growth. The committee will provide strategic direction, facilitate inter-agency collaboration, ensure access to relevant information and offer technical guidance on project outputs and expected outcomes.
Abdullahi emphasised that the inter-agency committee is tasked with the following responsibilities:
– Providing strategic guidance to the IEE technical working group/project team to review past work and ensure that the project’s final outputs align with its objectives, outcomes and national development priorities.
– Facilitating inter-agency collaboration and synergies among different ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs) and other key stakeholders necessary for the successful implementation of the project.
– Ensuring access to the required information and data while proactively resolving potential conflicts that may arise.
– Offering technical guidance on the project’s outputs and expected outcomes.
According to him, an appropriate policy and legislative framework is essential for promoting national energy efficiency and conservation best practices, particularly in sectors where such practices are still emerging. He concluded that the project’s implementation demands an inclusive approach, involving various stakeholders to ensure policy synergy and consistency.
The national programme coordinator for environment and energy at UNIDO, Oluyomi Banjo stressed that Nigeria is making a significant leap in industrial energy efficiency.
He expressed excitement about the collaboration between the government, ministries, departments, and agencies to drive this initiative, particularly in light of rising global energy costs. He noted that for Nigeria to remain competitive, it must prioritize efficiency, innovation and self-sufficiency.
Banjo highlighted that the project, supported by the Global Environment Facility, is designed to promote industrial energy efficiency in 13 carefully selected industrial cities across Nigeria. The Energy Commission of Nigeria is spearheading the project, with critical support from the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
Additionally, he noted that the initiative will not only help Nigeria fulfill its international commitments but also foster sustainable industrialisation and economic growth. He reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation efforts, emphasising that a coordinated approach will enable the country to maximise the project’s impact and achieve its energy efficiency goals.
The project consultant, Engr. Okon Ekpenyong in his overview of the project, stressed that one of its expected outcomes is to improve the government’s knowledge base, enabling it to strengthen national policies and regulatory frameworks for enhanced industrial energy efficiency. He explained that the project seeks to provide stakeholders with a well-informed knowledge base to guide IEE development.
He added that the project also aims to strengthen the policy framework for resource efficiency.
Discussing the project’s focus for 2025, he outlined key areas of intervention:
– Developing a compendium of IEE policies and regulations in Nigeria.
– Mapping and data collection to create an energy-use database for selected industries.
– Conducting sensitisation and awareness campaigns among industries and MDAs.
– Introducing an Energy Management System based on ISO 50001 in selected industries.
