SESN Pledges Youth-Focused Drive To Tackle Nigeria’s Energy Crisis

The President of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria, Dr Sunny Akpoyibo, has pledged to reposition the association as a leading voice in renewable energy development, with a strong focus on youth empowerment and skills acquisition to address the country’s persistent power challenges.

Akpoyibo, who spoke to journalists during press conference in Abuja on Wednesday,he said the society would pursue a more inclusive and impactful agenda aimed at expanding clean energy access nationwide.

“The work ahead is immense but achievable. With your support, we will build a stronger and more effective SESN that reflects the aspirations of our nation and contributes meaningfully to solving our energy challenges,” he said.

He disclosed that youth development would remain a major priority, noting that the society would undertake research, publish technical studies and organise capacity-building programmes to train young Nigerians in solar installation, maintenance, system design and entrepreneurship.

According to him, the initiative would create jobs and improve the country’s pool of skilled solar energy professionals.

Akpoyibo added that SESN would strengthen innovation, policy advocacy, funding access and the practical implementation of renewable energy solutions.

He announced plans to host future editions of the Nigeria Solar Energy Forum in Abuja to expand national participation and attract academia, industry leaders, policymakers, start-ups and international partners.

The SESN president also revealed that functional committees covering research, policy advocacy, training, publications, youth development, women in energy and private sector engagement would be established to improve coordination, transparency and impact.

On digital reforms, he said a comprehensive membership database and online registration system would be developed to enhance administration, communication and record-keeping.

Akpoyibo further stated that the society would deepen collaboration with government agencies, private renewable energy firms, universities, research institutions and international bodies to support innovation and sector growth.

He stressed that membership would be expanded to accommodate professionals across science, engineering and technology, as well as private sector players in the renewable energy value chain.

Speaking at the event also ,the President of the Governing Council of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Association Alliance, Prof Magnus Onuoha, said development must be driven by value addition rather than theory.

Onuoha noted that Nigerian universities and the Energy Commission of Nigeria remained reliable sources of credible research and policy input for the energy sector.

He expressed confidence in Akpoyibo’s leadership, describing him as someone who had consistently bridged the gap between industry and research.

“I look forward to returning here next year to celebrate one year of measurable impact, with clear and tangible deliverables,”Onuoha added,

The Chief Executive Officer of Ecologistics Climate Change Investment Firm, Dr Paul Abolo, said true leadership was measured by the successors groomed rather than personal achievements.

He urged other associations to emulate SESN by deliberately building leadership capacity among young professionals.

Abolo also charged the North-West Development Commission to strengthen youth engagement and collaborate more closely with SESN to guide young people into productive careers in renewable energy.

Meanwhile, the Vice-President of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Engr Atinuke Owolabi, said solar power remained a viable solution for rural communities in the North-Central and other northern regions that remain off the national grid.

She advocated local content development and early exposure to solar education at secondary school level to nurture future innovators.

Owolabi further called for youth training in lithium mining and processing in mineral-rich states such as Nasarawa, Kogi and Kwara, as well as technology development through reverse engineering of imported solar equipment in collaboration with NASENI and local research institutes.

She said partnerships with development commissions would strengthen youth capacity across regions and position SESN as a key driver of sustainable energy development in Nigeria.