The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), has extended its energy efficiency campaign to the Federal Capital Territory, engaging major industrial stakeholders in Abuja.
The meeting marks a further step in implementing the Global Environment Facility (GEF)- funded initiative titled “Improving Nigeria’s Industrial Energy Performance and Resource Efficient Cleaner Production through Programme Approaches and the Promotion of Innovation in Clean Technology Solutions.”
First launched in Kaduna State in April, the initiative aims to institutionalise Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices among selected small, medium and large-scale enterprises across Nigeria. Participating industries are expected to adopt Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) strategies and implement Energy Management Systems (EnMS) to streamline operations, minimise energy waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Speaking to stakeholders gathered at Interior Woodwork Limited, Abuja, Engr. Okon Ekpenyong, industrial energy efficiency consultant to the ECN, stressed the core principle of energy efficiency: achieving the desired outcome using less energy. “The reason we are here is clear – energy issues have been a long-standing challenge in Nigeria. Both national and international efforts have been ongoing to reduce the impact,” he said. He explained that the growing emphasis on energy efficiency stems from the limited availability of energy resources, making it imperative to conserve and use them judiciously.
Ekpenyong highlighted how simple behavioural changes can significantly reduce energy wastage. These include switching off machinery during lunch breaks, turning off all heavy-duty equipment and electrical appliances at the close of business each day and powering only essential equipment during weekends when most companies operate on a limited scale. “It’s about developing a culture of conservation,” he said.
He pointed out that the same logic applies in industrial applications. “When we speak of energy efficiency in industries, we mean running your production processes and equipment with lower energy inputs while achieving the same or even greater outputs,” he explained. “The goal is to optimise productivity without increasing energy consumption.”
The consultant also addressed global environmental concerns linked to the use of fossil fuels like diesel for energy generation. He noted that industrial dependence on fossil energy directly contributes to carbon emissions, which accumulate in the atmosphere and exacerbate climate change.
“In the developed world, their concern extends beyond access to energy – it includes environmental impact. That’s why global institutions like GEF are supporting projects like this,” he said. “They understand that burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change. Their logic is simple: the more energy we use, the more emissions we generate. So, if we can reduce energy use without compromising production, we also reduce emissions.”
Responding on behalf of Interior Woodwork Limited, John Oluwagbemiga expressed appreciation to the ECN/UNIDO team, describing the initiative as both timely and practical. “We truly appreciate this gesture. You’ve emphasised the importance of planning, and we will develop a strategy to manage our energy consumption more effectively,” he stated.
He assured the facilitators that the company would develop a structured, actionable energy efficiency strategy, anchored on leadership commitment and organisational discipline. He also thanked the IEE team for committing to build industry capacity through practical training in areas such as energy audits, performance reviews and systematic energy management.
The Abuja visit follows several earlier engagements held after the project’s official launch in Kaduna, where the ECN/UNIDO team met with a number of high-profile industries. These included Chello Industries Limited, FaLGate Food Limited, Arewa Metal Container (ARMECO) Limited, Seven Up Bottling Company, and Kaduna Furniture and Carpets Company (KFCC) Limited. These visits were part of the project’s Kick-Off Review Meetings, held on-site at each company’s premises.
At the Abuja event, participating industry representatives expressed strong support for the ECN–UNIDO partnership. Many pledged to adopt the recommended RECP frameworks and EnMS protocols, citing expectations that improved energy monitoring would boost operational efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness. The IEE project adopts a comprehensive programme approach, which includes training workshops, facility audits and the development of energy performance indicators, with continuous assessments planned over a two-year period.
As Nigeria continues its drive to fulfil its obligations under the Paris Agreement and reinforce its industrial base, the ECN–UNIDO collaboration under the GEF initiative presents a compelling model. Through mainstreaming of cleaner production and the promotion of innovative technologies, the project aims not only to reduce production costs for businesses but also to shrink Nigeria’s overall carbon footprint.
Stakeholders have been urged to remain fully engaged and proactive as the project unfolds. By ensuring that energy efficiency becomes a standard part of industrial operations, the initiative hopes to drive long-term sustainability and resilience in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. Observers suggest that if successfully implemented, the project could serve as a blueprint for other African countries grappling with similar energy challenges, offering a practical pathway to more efficient and climate-conscious industrialisation.
