The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has called for the production of indigenous solar cells, saying it will have a positive attendant effect on many industries in the country.
He made the call in his speech at a virtual meeting with the director-general, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mr. Francesco La Camera, pointing out that the indigenous production of solar cells would drop the price of solar panels by 60 per cent and aid Nigeria’s transformation into a green economy.
He further sought the assistance of IRENA on institutional capacity building for research in enhancing green hydrogen energy as Nigeria has immense gas reserves.
Saying renewable energy should be fully exploited, Onu pointed out that solar energy would enable rural communities to have access to sustainable electricity power.
On foreign direct investment, he said the activities of Nigeria as a member nation of the agency would help make renewable energy more available.
“We want to make our solar cells in Nigeria, more foreign investors should be encouraged to come into Nigeria, which has a huge market of 200 million people”, he stated.
The minister assured Nigeria is committed to ensure the protection and preservation of the planet for future generations, adding the country would participate and fulfill all its obligations as a member-state of IRENA.
Earlier, La Camera hailed Nigeria’s commitment to the agency, saying the agency would collaborate further with Nigeria in developing renewable energy and finding ways to boost foreign direct investment in Nigeria.
