Femi Akinyelure’s Strategies For Bridging Nigeria’s Electrification Gap In Rural Communities
By Ichie Enyi Ejike-Umunnabuike Jr,
Going by the understanding of the international development institutions, such as the World Bank, African Development Bank{AfDB} and significant other global agencies, Development administration, is not only the core of any nation’s public service structure but includes such other segments of productive engagements, that are private sector-driven.
At least, this much was explained and given credence to in an exclusive interview this reporter, had with Ajay Banga, the President of the World Bank, during his first ever visit to Nigeria, in August 2023.
During the said state visit by the President of the global apex bank, he placed particular emphasis on what he would want to see as success stories about Nigeria’s ability to make giant strides in the area of nationwide rural electrification projects.
He was particularly, emphatic about his expectations, coming alive within the strategic initiatives of the Nigeria Electrification Project {NEP},which is now known as the Nigeria Electrification Programme, a World Bank assisted private sector driven initiative, under the supervision of the Rural Electrification Agency { REA} .
Before he left the Nigerian shores, the World Bank President, expressed his heart-felt optimism, about the capacity of the staff of the Nigeria Electrification Programme {NEP}, to live up to the projected billings of the huge tasks , that lay ahead of them.
As a mark of positive motivational incentive, World Bank President, gave high marks and credit to the staff of Nigeria Electrification Programme {NEP} and Rural Electrification Agency {REA}, for their demonstration of resilience in pushing forward, the ethos and principles of development administration, citing the quality project execution examples as commendable lines of milestone achievement, in lightening up the unserved and underserved nooks and crannies of rural Nigerian communities.
Particularly enthralling to him was the Kilankwa project, a rusty rural community tucked away in Kwali District of Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
It was also his projective reasoning that by the time he embarks on a second visit, lots and lots of impressive milestones by way of scorecard, would have been recorded.
Just few months after the the World Bank President rounded his visit to Nigeria, something remarkable happened.
This remarkable event, was the appointment of Olufemi Akinyelure, a brilliantly intelligent, consummate energy expert and practitioner as the Head, of the Nigeria Electrification Programme {NEP} by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It came months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had graciously signed 2023 Electricity Bill into an Act of parliament, making it functional as a law guiding and regulating the establishment of alternative energy sources from generation, transmission, distribution and sale, opening the space for greater private sector participation.
Having a very resourceful, creatively innovative and goal-oriented young mind like Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure, to contribute to the national task of providing clean and alternative energy sources through massive Rural Electrification projects, came in handy at a time the nation, is yearning for increased power and energy sources to ensure economic empowerment and enhances conditions of living and lift the citizenry out of rural poverty and urban misery.
Luckily, since his assumption of office in November 2023,this well-cultured corporate manager of human and material resources, has been able to raise the bar of development administration, in his core area of primary assignment, almost 9 months on the saddle.
However, in a going type of way, the major stakeholders in the renewable and clean energy sector in Nigeria, having recognized and appreciated the silent but creative input-processes that Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure, had been able to drive by way of value-addition, as Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme{NEP}, decided to use the platform of one of their own, Electricity Hub, to hold an international Power Dialogue, which is the 97th edition, in the series, to inform the world the milestone achievements recorded thus far.
The Power Dialogue, either by accident or design, provided an opportunity for all leading Mini-Grid, Off-Grid and even players from the Direct-Grid platforms, to speak truth to truth about the modest and commendable achievements scored by Olufemi Akinyelure as the new Head of NEP, in such a short time, demonstrating that a square peg, had been placed on a square hole.
The international Power Dialogue, whose thrust was, “Bridging Electrification Gaps In Rural Communities”, ostensibly offered an avenue for the Nigerian and global public stakeholders, private international and local financiers, investors, the media and significant others, in the energy world, to offer their alternative perspectives on the varying subjects, discussed at the one day event.
The organizers of the event, who choose to kickstart the day’s proceedings with having the opening thoughts of Olufemi Akinyelure,in a manner that was akin to the citizen-premised journalism style often adopted by senior professional colleague and former BOSS, Chief Micharl Awoyinfa, a leading Aposttle of Tabloidy Journalism in Nigeria.
Speaking first, gave Olufemi Akinyelure, the ample time and space to highlight, strategies for “Bridging Electrification Gaps in Nigerian Rural Communities.”
Conscious of the central theme of the Power Dialogue interactive session, which held at Navera Central Mall of the Zone 5 Shoprite Shopping Complex, Wuse,Abuja, Olufemi Akinyelure, gave insights on the concept of the importance of Innovative Financing Models as well as Sustainable Approaches, that can help drive rural electrification in Nigeria.
Akinyelure, who equally doubled as one of the celebrity panelists panelists, emphasized that rural electrification, is not a one-size-fits-all solution but requires a combination of catalytic funding, sustainable private sector engagement and local financing solutions, to meet the energy needs of underserved and unserved communities.
Speaking with the competences, skillset and confidence of a personality who is conversant with the dictates of his professional terrain, Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure, gave what can best be listed as a deep seated lecture on why the ‘Effective Approaches To Rural Electrification’, makes good meaning to the Nigerian situation.
Said he: “One of the most effective approaches we’ve seen is the catalytic funding provided by the Rural Electrification Agency’s (REA) Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), backed by the World Bank,”
“This fund, acts as a spark for developers to invest in rural electrification projects, but sustainable progress ultimately hinges on the involvement of developers and local financing through blended finance models.”
According to Akinyelure,while the catalytic support from international bodies is essential to jumpstart projects, the long-term viability depends on local developers, who are committed to delivering sustainable energy solutions.
The above thought-process led him into stating that the concept of ‘ Primary Benefits of Rural Electrification’, must always be considered in the course of governments move in initiating any energy capital project from groundbreaking, completion and commissioning.
He said that the core benefits of electrification, can be highlighted through the transformative impact it has on rural communities.
To this end, Olufemi Akinyelure explained that , beyond just providing light, electrification, as a listed global tool for development administration, drives economic empowerment, healthcare improvements, as well as educational advancements.
He further offered a detailed insight, when he said, “Communities, can experience a ripple effect that extends to productive use of energy, like powering agricultural equipment, which directly improves local economies.”
He was quick to raise a very pertinent question that induced a reinforced attentiveness from both panelists and the largely stakeholder populated audience, when he asked, “Are Stakeholders Doing Enough?”
He was quick to proffer answers to the question as all ears when wide open expecting to know what the probable or likely responses, would be.
Espousing his views, in a carefully measured tone, he said, ” On whether stakeholders, are doing enough to address the electrification gap, my position, is to express optimism even as I would call for more concerted efforts”.
“We have made strides, but the pace needs to accelerate. Stakeholders, including government bodies, private developers and financiers, must collaborate more effectively”.
He suggested that in order to achieve any of the above benchmark-goals, “a strong regulatory framework, combined with innovative funding mechanisms, will be key to speeding up these efforts.”
On attracting financing to the renewable sector, Akinyelure, offered suggestions on how to attract more financing to the rural electrification sector.
This he captured this way, when he said, “One way is by providing data that clearly shows the impact on beneficiaries,” he said. “We need to demonstrate the tangible results of electrification on livelihoods—whether it’s through improved agricultural productivity or small businesses that thrive thanks to access to reliable electricity.”
He used the instance of the Power Dialogue Interactive Session, to underscore the importance of encouraging the Productive Use of Energy, as a vital component tool known to operatives of the Renewable Energy Sector to boost the adoption and success of mini-grid solutions.
Capturing and painting a sociological image about the likely impression-formation processes of rural dwelling personalities, Akinyelure stated, “When communities see that electrification can directly enhance their economic output, they are more likely to embrace and make full use of the energy provided.”
The Future of Rural Electrification, was another critical topic that Akinyelure, treated with the ease of a class-room teacher, determined meet up with the challenges of his teaching practice examination session, as said, “looking forward, I believe that Nigeria’s rural electrification sector, will continue to grow with the right mix of catalytic support, private investment, and a focus on sustainable, locally-driven energy solutions”.
He hinted that, “as more stakeholders, come on board with innovative models and financing, the dream of bridging the electrification gap in rural Nigeria, could become a reality sooner than expected”.
Concerted efforts by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led APC federal administration aimed at revamping the nation’s energy sector, is not in doubt.
As the Nigeria Electrification Programme, {NEP}, approaches its sunset before the end of the year 2024, to usher in the coming alive of the Distributed Access Through Renewable Energy Scale-Up {DARES}, expectations, are high on all fronts.
DARES, is targeted at scaling up to Nigeria’s Energy Access, even as it also seeks to proactively improve on the credible accomplishments of the Nigeria Electrification Programme, a World Bank financed project.
By way of projections, no fewer than 17.5 million Nigerians, are to be provided with improved electricity supplies, as ways of bridging the deficit in the nation’s energy gap in rural communities.
For the easygoing urbane man of all seasons, Olufemi Akinyelure,who exudes high degrees of emotional, cognitive, investigative and social intelligence, NEP, has so far been able to build about 158 mini-grid plants across the six geo political zones of the country, located in the remotest rural council areas.
For purposes of institutional exactitudes, NEP,as a World Bank assisted project, about to wind up, few month’s time from now, has recorded a very impressive scorecard, milestoned by equally encouraging indices of evaluation
These include, 158 Solar Hybrid Mini-Grids, completed and commissioned nationwide, over 1.08 million verified and paid connections under Solar Home Systems {SHS}, no fewer than 100 containerized Solar Hybrid Systems, successfully deployed to isolation & treatment centres {ICT’s} as well as listed Health Centers, about 1,136, 118 Households, have been provided with brand new and practically improved electricity services.
Meanwhile,the total capacity of electrical energy that had been installed approximates to about 94 Mega Watts while an additional outstanding total of 32 Mega Watts capacity premised energy sources, would soon be commissioned in a total of seven {7} Federal Universities & two University Teaching Hospitals, spread across the 6 geo political zones of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The dream of the Nigeria Electrification Programme before it terminates about November or December 2024, is to positively impact over 7.5 million rural and down-trodden Nigerians by making them, have access to electricity in their respective but cherished localities.
Olufemi Akinyelure,in what seemed a Tabloid Journalism approach to issues, values and norms of societal living, told participants at the POWER DIALOGUE interactive session that, ” electricity, is the thin line between life and death”, given the vital roles it plays in improving the quality of life,in all spheres of human endeavour, particularly clinical sessions or high profile medical surgeries, either at a public or private primary, secondary or tertiary health facility.”
Ichie Enyi Ejike-Umunnabuike Jr, a seasoned journalist, sent this material from Abuja
