In a bid to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy, Our Mission Human and Social Impact Initiative successfully engaged key stakeholders in Nasarawa State’s local government areas (LGAs) to support the Empowering Youths for Nigeria’s Clean Energy Future project. This initiative aims to raise awareness about renewable energy sources and integrate them into local governance policies, aligning with Nigeria’s goal to generate 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
The campaign’s outreach began on January 15, 2025, when the organization sent an introductory letter to the Nasarawa State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, outlining the project’s objectives and requesting endorsement letters for the three LGAs selected for implementation: Lafia, Kokona, and Keffi. Despite challenges, including the state government dissolving its cabinet and executive council, the project received the crucial endorsement on January 29, 2025.
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A notable achievement was securing the Ministry’s endorsement, even in the absence of a commissioner, with the Permanent Secretary and Director for LGA Affairs stepping in to facilitate the process. Additionally, the project team engaged directly with the LGA chairpersons of Lafia, Kokona, and Keffi, all of whom expressed strong support for the initiative and pledged their collaboration.
Key Stakeholders Engaged in Renewable Energy Advocacy
The stakeholders involved in this key engagement included the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the LGA Chairpersons of Lafia, Kokona, and Keffi. The meetings allowed for vital discussions on how renewable energy can be integrated into public projects such as schools, hospitals, and streetlights, reducing dependency on the national grid.
Despite the time-consuming nature of the approval process, which took over a week with multiple visits to the Ministry, the project team succeeded in formalizing the endorsement and distributing letters to the LGAs. This endorsement sets the stage for further implementation of renewable energy solutions in Nasarawa State, contributing to both climate action and sustainable development.
Challenges and Successes of the Stakeholder Engagement
One of the primary challenges faced during the process was the lengthy approval timeline, which required persistence and multiple visits to secure the Ministry’s endorsement. The absence of a commissioner at the time added to the complexity, but the commitment of the Permanent Secretary and Director for LGA Affairs played a crucial role in overcoming this obstacle.
Despite these hurdles, the project was able to achieve its milestone of securing official support from local government leadership. The LGA chairpersons’ enthusiastic response signals a positive outlook for the project, as they committed to supporting the initiative and ensuring the integration of renewable energy into future community projects.
Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development
The Empowering Youths for Nigeria’s Clean Energy Future project is a step toward realizing Nigeria’s clean energy goals. By focusing on local governance, the initiative seeks to embed renewable energy into the fabric of everyday life in Nasarawa State. Through this engagement, the project is laying the groundwork for sustainable development, with hopes to power public facilities such as schools, hospitals, and streetlights using renewable energy sources, contributing to a cleaner, greener future for the state and beyond.
