Abuja: The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) has called on the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders to partner with the chamber in building an ecosystem for a strong accessible and sustainable energy for businesses. The President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, made the call at the inauguration ceremony of the Energy Efficiency Awareness Campaign in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the inauguration, themed ‘Empower Your Business: Save Energy, Boost Profits,’ was organized by the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC) of the chamber in collaboration with Winock Solar Group. Obegolu noted the global shift towards energy transition, emphasizing that Nigeria must not fall behind. He stated that energy is now crucial for competitiveness, innovation, and inclusive development, beyond being merely a business expense.
The campaign aims to educate and equip Nigerian businesses, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), to adopt energy-efficient practices and renewable energy solutions. Obegolu highlighted that through NPAC, the chamber advocates for energy policies that facilitate a green economy transition. He stressed that renewable energy is a strategic business choice, offering paths to energy security, cost reduction, and industrial competitiveness.
He urged stakeholders, including government agencies, international development partners, private sector entities, and civil society organizations, to collaborate with the chamber to create an ecosystem where all Nigerian businesses can access sustainable energy solutions.
Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, Director-General of ACCI, discussed Nigeria’s known electricity supply challenges, asserting that the shift to alternative energy sources like solar is timely and critical. He described solar energy as an immediate necessity for businesses, marking the campaign as a significant step towards sustainable business practices and economic resilience. This campaign is part of the chamber’s Green Energy Agenda for 2025, which focuses on promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption among SMEs in Nigeria.
Frank Okafor, Project Manager for the Green/Digital Economy at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, expressed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s sustainable development. He emphasized the potential of collaborative efforts to address shared challenges and enhance the partnership for citizens’ benefit.
Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, encouraged the adoption of energy efficiency and conservation best practices for sustainable energy access at reasonable costs. Mr. Sanmi Lajuwomi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Winock Solar Group, advocated for demystifying solar energy, noting its simplicity, scalability, and cost-effectiveness in producing clean electricity. Lajuwomi expressed pride in Winock Solar’s technical partnership role in this transformative movement.
