The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) will play a leading role in discussions on Nigeria’s renewable energy and energy transition agenda at the 2026 Oriental News National Conference.
The conference, themed “Carbon Capture: Accelerating Decarbonisation Initiatives in Nigeria’s Extractive Industry Through Broad Regulatory Reforms,” is scheduled to take place on July 23, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
The event will bring together key players in the energy sector, government agencies, financial institutions, policymakers, and industry experts to explore strategies for reducing carbon emissions and accelerating sustainable energy development in Nigeria.
A major focus of the conference will be Nigeria’s renewable energy strategy, which forms part of the Federal Government’s broader energy transition plan aimed at achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, is expected to engage stakeholders on the agency’s efforts to expand renewable energy access and cut emissions through solar-powered projects and other clean energy initiatives.
The conference will also examine the sub-theme, “Addressing Finance Challenges, Investment Strategies, Operational Sustainability and Climate Change Management,” highlighting the need for increased investment and stronger policies to support the country’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP) is built around a $410 billion investment framework designed to strengthen electricity infrastructure, expand clean cooking solutions, and modernise the nation’s power sector. The country is also promoting decentralised solar power systems and green manufacturing to reduce dependence on petrol and diesel generators.
One of the flagship projects supporting this transition is the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) programme, a $750 million World Bank-backed initiative aimed at providing electricity to more than 17.5 million Nigerians through solar home systems and mini-grids.
The REA has continued to deploy solar mini-grids in rural communities to provide reliable electricity for businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities. These projects are helping to bridge the energy access gap while reducing pressure on the national grid.
The conference will further explore opportunities in local manufacturing of solar panels, inverters, and renewable energy equipment, as well as government incentives designed to attract private-sector investment into the clean energy space.
Now in its fifth year, the Oriental News Conference has become a platform for discussions on regulatory reforms, investment opportunities, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s energy, finance, and industrial sectors.
Participants will examine the challenges facing the oil and gas, petrochemical, and manufacturing industries as they work toward meeting environmental targets while maintaining profitability and operational efficiency.
The summit will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, policy dialogues, and case studies from organisations that have recorded notable progress in achieving their decarbonisation goals.
Organisers say the event will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to exchange ideas, identify practical solutions to financing and regulatory challenges, and develop strategies that support Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
The conference is also expected to address financing gaps, regulatory bottlenecks, and other factors slowing progress toward the country’s emission reduction targets, while promoting collaboration among public and private sector players committed to building a sustainable energy future.
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