LAGOS – In a move that signals a definitive shift in Nigeria’s energy trajectory, the Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a carbon-neutral future, led by the ambitious 2GW Lagos Grid-Scale Solar Programme. The announcement was made at the WACEE 2026 conference held at the Landmark Event Centre, where policymakers and investors gathered to chart a course for the region’s ecological transformation.
Representing the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, the Overseeing Permanent Secretary, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, described the state’s vision as a “strategic imperative” for economic survival and climate resilience.
Powering the Grid and the Grassroots
The centerpiece of this transition, the 2GW Solar Programme, aims to integrate massive renewable capacity into the regional grid. This initiative is designed to bolster industrial productivity while slashing the state’s carbon footprint.
Simultaneously, the government is addressing energy poverty through the Imole Eko Programme, which targets underserved and low-income areas. By bringing solar power to the “last mile,” the state aims to ensure that the green transition is inclusive, not just industrial.
Infrastructure and Public Services
The scale of the “solarization” effort extends to the very streets of Lagos. The government revealed plans to retrofit up to 50,000 streetlights with high-efficiency solar technology, building on the 22,000 already installed in Phase I.
The impact is already visible in the social sector:
- Healthcare: 11 Primary Health Care Centres in rural areas now run on solar.
- Education: 172 schools have been electrified via renewable sources.
- Public Institutions: Key sites, including the Lagos Central Mosque and General Hospitals in Ketu-Ejinrin and Ikota, have successfully migrated to clean energy.
Lagos is leveraging recent legislative shifts—specifically the Electricity Act 2023 and the Lagos Electricity Law 2024—to create a competitive subnational electricity market. These laws strip away the bureaucratic bottlenecks that previously hindered private investment, allowing Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to operate with greater autonomy.
“We are building a dynamic ecosystem where innovation can thrive,” Ogunleye stated, noting that the state is also preparing for the future of transport. This includes developing a robust charging infrastructure for electric buses and two-wheelers, aiming to transform Lagos into the electric mobility hub of West Africa.
With the global push toward ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards, Lagos is presenting itself as the premier destination for green finance. The government’s focus on emerging tech—such as battery energy storage systems (BESS) and waste-to-energy solutions—offers a fertile ground for international and local investors to scale sustainable projects.
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As WACEE 2026 concluded, the message from the “Center of Excellence” was clear: the green transition is no longer a distant goal, but an active, funded, and legislated reality.
