Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The Federal Government has begun efforts to expand Nigeria’s solar panel manufacturing capacity before considering restrictions on imports, as part of plans to promote local production and make renewable energy more affordable.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, said the government was engaging foreign manufacturers and potential investors to establish solar panel production facilities in the country.
Speaking during a media briefing, Udeh said Nigeria must develop the capacity to manufacture solar panels locally before considering a ban on imported products.
“You can’t ban importation of solar panels if you do not have manufacturing capabilities in the country,” the minister said.
The Solar Power Nigeria Campaign and the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) welcomed the approach, warning that restricting imports before domestic manufacturers could meet local demand might increase prices and limit access to solar energy.
The organisations said households, businesses and public institutions increasingly depended on solar power to supplement unreliable electricity supply and reduce their reliance on petrol and diesel generators.
Udeh disclosed that the government was seeking partnerships with international manufacturers, including Turkish companies, to establish production facilities in Nigeria.
He said he travelled to Turkey this month following engagements initiated during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the country, with discussions aimed at attracting major solar manufacturers to invest in Nigeria.
Memoranda of Understanding are expected to be signed with prospective partners, according to a statement issued by the organisations on Friday.
The minister also said the government was working to prevent substandard solar panels and components from entering the Nigerian market, while ensuring that locally manufactured and imported products from reliable sources met acceptable quality standards.
He explained that domestic production could help reduce prices by cutting shipping costs and import duties associated with foreign-made panels. Government support, he added, would further improve affordability.
The initiative also includes plans to develop local expertise through the Barefoot Renewable Energy College, which was commissioned last month to train artisans in solar manufacturing and installation.
According to Udeh, expanding the pool of skilled workers would improve installation standards and help lower the cost of solar energy products and services.
The government is also implementing the Renewed Hope Solarisation Project through the Energy Commission of Nigeria to move federal institutions, including academic institutions, towards solar-powered electricity.
Nigeria’s inadequate electricity supply has made alternative energy sources increasingly important for households and businesses seeking more reliable power.
The Solar Power Nigeria Campaign and GIFSEP said the national grid supplies approximately 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts of electricity to a population exceeding 200 million, leaving many consumers dependent on alternative sources.
Reacting to the government’s plans, GIFSEP’s Founder and Executive Director, Michael Terungwa David, said developing domestic manufacturing capacity before restricting imports would protect consumers while creating opportunities for local businesses.
He also welcomed the proposed focus on quality control and technical training, saying these measures could help address the problems of substandard products and poor installation practices.
David, however, urged the government to publish a clear, time-bound roadmap for expanding domestic production and gradually reducing dependence on imported solar panels.
He called for the involvement of industry operators and civil society organisations in developing the plan, alongside incentives and affordable financing for manufacturers, installers and households.
He further urged the government to strengthen enforcement of product quality standards in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.
**Tags:** Solar Energy, Kingsley Udeh, Local Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Federal Government
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