•Ademola Ogunbajo
President of Oando Clean Energy, Ademola Ogunbajo, has called for a strategic shift in Nigeria’s energy priorities, emphasising that the country is not yet prepared for widespread adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles.
Speaking at the ongoing Nigerian Oil & Gas Energy Week Conference & Exhibition (24th NOG Energy Week) 2025 in Abuja, Ogunbajo advocated that existing gas resources be channeled towards powering industries and strengthening the nation’s energy infrastructure, reports Daily Independent.
“This is not the decade of gas; this is the decade of gas infrastructure and industrial development,” Ogunbajo stated during a panel discussion on the Role of Renewable Energy in Africa’s Future Energy Mix at the NOG Energy Week in Abuja.
He added, “Gas should not be powering vehicles; it should be powering industries, charging stations, and the innovations created by people.”
He underscored the importance of targeted investments that foster value creation, cautioning against misaligned priorities in Nigeria’s energy transition efforts.
Ogunbajo revealed that Nigeria could unlock up to $250 billion in economic value from renewable energy over the next three years if investments are strategically directed.
He highlighted that energy must be focused on sectors that generate tangible benefits for people, including agriculture, artificial intelligence, transportation, and industrialization.
Stressing the fundamental role of power in all meaningful human endeavors, Ogunbajo asserted that Nigeria’s future hinges on aligning energy investments with value creation.
He also emphasised the urgency of accelerating Africa’s green transition. “Let’s focus on electrifying faster and leading Africa’s green revolution. It’s no longer enough to talk about the problem; we must move to action,” he urged.
The discussion addressed Africa’s ongoing reliance on oil and gas, questioning the continent’s dependence on fossil fuels despite contributing only 4% to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
“If we are responsible for such a small fraction of emissions, what’s the real benefit of pushing further into oil and gas, especially when the rest of the world is transitioning away from them?” Ogunbajo queried.
Continuing he said “Our public transport system is not mature enough for consistent use by the population. The buses we have launched are primarily for mass transit, and we are expanding the fleet”.
Acknowledging current limitations, he expressed optimism for the future: “As infrastructure improves and becomes cleaner and better organized, people will leave their cars at home and use trams or trains.”
Ogunbajo revealed that an all-electric service, including electric taxis, is already being introduced.
“When you take a ride in an electric taxi, we’ll send you a message showing how much carbon that ride has prevented. This personalises the carbon footprint and raises awareness,” he explained.
Despite Africa’s limited role in global emissions, Ogunbajo highlighted the continent’s disproportionate suffering from climate change impacts.
“We do not contribute significantly to global GHG emissions, but we bear a heavy burden from climate change. Africa holds less than 20% of the world’s population but accounts for 50% of global internally displaced people, much of this due to conflict and climate-related challenges,” he noted.
He pointed to displacement across Nigeria and other African regions caused by desertification and the search for arable land and pasture.
“Even if that alone was the reason, it’s enough for us to act.”
While reaffirming gas as a necessary part of Africa’s current energy mix, Ogunbajo stressed the need for foresight.
“We must prepare for a future when gas becomes a less attractive investment. It’s only a matter of time,” he warned.
He called for a balanced approach to Africa’s energy transition: “The transition is a mix, and that mix will remain for a long time. Let’s not fret, but let’s prepare.”
Ogunbajo further cautioned that unless Africa develops its own manufacturing base for solar panels and renewable technologies, the continent risks spending billions of borrowed dollars enriching other economies.
He projected that Africa will spend about $50 billion on infrastructure in the next decade.
“However, if current trends continue, up to 90% of that money would go to countries like China, which dominate the global solar panel market. This means Africa gains power but misses out on industrial and employment benefits,” he added.
He advocated for a rapid overhaul of educational curricula to equip students with skills for the future energy sector, noting that current systems still prepare students for a world that existed 30 years ago.
Omotayo Hassan of TotalEnergies emphasised that Nigeria’s renewable ambitions cannot be achieved without addressing fundamental weaknesses in the country’s power infrastructure.
Hassan stressed that while generation capacity is critical, equal attention must be given to transmission, storage, and grid reliability.
“Nigeria’s power grid is old and unstable. Without urgent upgrades, adding more renewable generation will only exacerbate the problem,” he said.
He criticised ineffective government subsidies and called for redirecting funds into infrastructure projects that genuinely deliver electricity to consumers.
Panelists also highlighted the need to make renewable energy projects attractive and bankable for investors.
Hassan urged the removal of regulatory barriers, such as lengthy permit approvals, advocating for a streamlined process that completes all project approvals within 90 days.
He also emphasised that sustainable energy projects must be inclusive, involving local communities, women, and youth in planning and implementation to ensure long-term success.
Olayiwola Ajilore, Service Director at GE Vernova, called on African leaders to avoid repeating mistakes that have hindered development in other sectors.
He warned against exporting raw minerals like lithium and cobalt used in renewable technologies only to import finished products at higher costs.
Ajilore urged governments to focus on value addition by processing minerals locally and fostering regional collaboration to retain value within Africa.
He also condemned some African leaders who enable illegal exports of critical minerals for personal gain, weakening the continent’s ability to benefit from the global green economy.
In his closing remarks, Ogunbajo cautioned against the culture of pursuing short-term political wins, which often results in superficial energy policies.
He observed that most African leaders spend their first year settling in, the second year working, and the third year preparing for re-election, leaving little room for strategic, long-term initiatives.
“This cycle of ‘quick wins’ will not deliver the deep transformation needed in the energy sector,” he concluded.
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