A key player in the Energy sector of the Nigerian Economy, Mr. Ayodeji O’ Deji , has called on the teeming population of young Nigerians to leverage on enormous opportunities available in the renewable energy sector. O’ Deji, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Protergia Energy Limited, a clean energy (renewable energy and energy efficiency) project development outfit based in Abuja, Nigeria, made the call while delivering the 3rd Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony of the School of Physical Sciences of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, on Thursday, 18th July 2024.
Ayodeji, who spoke on the topic, “Clean Energy Initiatives: A Path to Renewable Energy Sustainability” said “Nigeria is a nation of over 200 million people and about 65% of them are under 25 years. What this means is that the group can leverage on the enormous opportunities in that field to solve and resolve energy challenge the nation is facing and also make a living from it.”
He said the youth are born for a purpose, which they should fulfill, adding that class work and book knowledge alone cannot do it, but skills acquired alongside knowledge acquired in the classroom. He said “every generation is born to solve a problem. Your generation is born to solve energy problem. There is a wave you can ride on to take you to the top in the renewable energy sector. Nigeria has a great need of energy which is unmet at the moment. So wake up and do the needful.”
To attain this, he said hard work is the key. “a lazy person may not make it in life. Be hardworking. Who you are today is what you truly are and what you are likely to be for the rest of your life if you don’t do the needful. Good grade is good, but sellable skills are better for the future.”
Ayodeji, a graduate of Applied Geology from FUTA urged the undergraduate and all present to build incredible relationship around them. “Build good relationship with friends because with them and through them you can grow together. The network you build from now is a carrier for the future. Become your authentic self. The good reputation you build today will make you in the future and carry you through life. Allow FUTA to mould you and build yourself therefrom” he said.
The Guest lecturer also reminded them that the future starts now. He said “don’t wait for your future to start tomorrow. You only have today, so start early and start now.” he emphasized.
X-raying the energy situation in Nigeria, which he says is less than 4000MW and a far cry from the need of the nation, he said Nigeria has an installed capacity of 12,000MW if she produces at full capacity, but lamented that vandalism, inefficiency, insecurity and several other issues are responsible for the low generation. He identified energy security, energy equity and energy sustainability as energy Trilemma that needs to be balanced to attain the energy level and need of the Nigerian populace.
Chronicling the Nigerian energy evolution from the 18th century, he said at the beginning the energy need was need-driven but unregulated while from mid 1950s efforts was made to consolidate it with uniform regulation across the country under different names. He said 2012 and 2023 was a period of evolution with 7 generation companies, 1 transmission company, 11 distribution companies with liberalization of generation and establishment of Independent Power Projects and aggressive rural electricity projects. He described the period of 2023 and above as the period of growth with further liberalization, state autonomy as players, improve technology with global push for clean energy, embrace of solar technology and improved access to clean energy funds. This he said has increase opportunities in the renewable energy and efficiency which has brought with it lots of economic opportunities.
Ayodeji reminded Nigerians that energy is not cheap anywhere in the world and appealed to the citizen to pay their bills regularly. He added that a performing economy depends largely on power, so for Nigeria to become an industrial giant, she needs adequate power supply. He also stated that a clean environment is desirable and this is achievable through the option that renewable energy has started to offer. He said the concept of renewable energy is not new and with the reality of climate change it has become an option, a performing option with less hazard.
Speaking further on the opportunities in renewable energy he said FUTA as a leading University of Technology in Nigeria can leverage on the liberalization of electricity supply and set up its own micro grid to meet its immediate needs and also serve communities around.
In her opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Taiwo Amos said the title of the lecture could not have come at a better time saying, “we cannot afford to slow down in application of technologies in all spheres of our lives with the sophistication in our existence.”
She added that “in applying technologies, we rely on various energy sources or options, but the care for our environment and future generations limits our options. For the love of our environment, which is actually love for ourselves, we have to embrace clean energy initiatives. That is, we have to transit from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change and its consequences. We have to create a low-carbon economy, promote energy security and protect our environment.”
She adduced to the fact that alternative source of energy is the best saying “one of our greatest challenges as a nation is availability and sustainability of energy. Nigeria’s population is about 200 million while power generation is meagre 5,000MW. 75% of electricity requirement in Nigeria is obtained from generators. This is not good for health living. I do not have any doubt in my mind that by the engagement of today, we would end up killing two birds with one stone by rubbing minds with a proven renewable energy expert and taking the opportunity of this rare meeting to seek solution to our entanglement in the web of BEDC and Band A.”
She appreciated the Guest Lecturer, Mr. Ayodeji for accepting the call to deliver the lecture and commended the Dean, School of Physical Sciences, Professor Barnabas Adebola, staff and students of the School for organizing the lecture with a topic that will make life better for the masses.
Welcoming the audience, the Dean, SPS, Professor Adebola said “without doubt in my mind, I am convinced that the title of this lecture is appropriate and the choice of the lecturer is a round peg in a round hole. Mr. Ayodeji is a visionary leader on a mission to bring sustainable energy solutions to the unserved and underserved population in Africa’s rural, peri-urban and urban communities.”
He commended the University Management under the watch of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Oladiji for its usual assistance to the school and sought more assistance to take the school forward and make it further deliver its mandate in teaching, research and community service. He also appreciated the staff and students of SPS, especially the Annual Lecture Committee led by Professor K. D. Adedayo for doing a yeoman job.
At the lecture, Special Recognition Awards were given to past Deans of the School while selected individuals were recognized for their remarkable contributions to the development of education and efforts in uplifting the school.
