Amid Nigeria's push toward sustainable development, US-based Nigerian researcher Chidimma Nwankwor has called for accelerated innovations in clean energy. She highlighted the critical role of scientific research in addressing energy poverty and climate change, urging stakeholders to prioritize advancements that enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
Nwankwor, a prominent figure in energy studies, emphasized that clean energy innovations can transform Nigeria's economy. "By investing in research and development, we strengthen our capacity to build a sustainable world," she stated.
Her advocacy aligns with the federal government's initiatives, including investments in chemical industries and energy-efficient technologies to incorporate clean energy sources.
Nigeria's Energy Transition Plan aims for net-zero emissions by 2060, focusing on sectors like power, cooking, transport, industry, and oil and gas. Recent efforts include unlocking $410 billion in investments to position Nigeria as Africa's renewable energy hub, as affirmed by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Nwankwor praised these steps but stressed the need for more homegrown innovations, drawing from global insights to overcome barriers like financial and technical challenges.
She pointed to opportunities in renewable resources such as solar, wind, and compressed natural gas, which leverage Nigeria's abundant reserves for affordable, clean solutions. Nwankwor also commended initiatives like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund's support for market-ready prototypes in clean energy and agriculture, showcasing Nigerian researchers' potential.
This call comes as Nigeria tackles dual crises of energy access and environmental degradation. Nwankwor encouraged collaboration between academia, government, and private sectors to drive progress toward SDG7 and universal energy access by 2030.