Precious Anga
Lagos — Nigeria’s drive for safer and more credible renewable energy deployment received a fresh boost after the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at tightening regulatory compliance, improving technical standards and strengthening industry capacity.
The agreement, announced in a joint statement issued in Abuja, seeks to address longstanding concerns over poor installation practices, weak compliance culture and the growing circulation of substandard renewable energy systems across the country.
Under the partnership, both organisations will collaborate on safety enforcement, industry coordination, stakeholder awareness and technical capacity building to support Nigeria’s expanding renewable energy market.
The initiative will also introduce regular webinars, information sessions and certification examinations for renewable energy practitioners, including REAN members, with emphasis on professional competence and regulatory compliance.
According to the statement, discussions will cover certification procedures, inspection requirements, mini-grid regulations, commercial and industrial solar standards, as well as emerging policies shaping Nigeria’s renewable energy landscape.
The planned engagement sessions are expected to create a platform for operators, developers and technicians to seek clarification on regulatory changes, compliance expectations and implementation procedures.
President of REAN, Ayo Ademilua, stressed that the agreement must deliver measurable outcomes rather than remain a ceremonial document.
He said the MoU should “move beyond signing into active execution through a clear implementation mechanism.”
Ademilua also called for a dedicated coordination framework to drive continuity, improve communication between stakeholders and support possible joint inspection exercises aimed at reducing substandard practices within the sector.
The collaboration comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s electricity market as households, businesses and industries increasingly turn to solar and alternative energy systems to cushion the impact of grid instability, rising energy costs and inadequate power supply.
The statement further highlighted the need for stronger alignment among regulatory institutions such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to ensure a harmonised approach to renewable energy standards nationwide.
While industry standards are often developed through broad stakeholder consultations, the organisations noted that enforcement remains the responsibility of regulators.
REAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting standardisation efforts by consistently promoting approved industry standards and encouraging broader compliance across the renewable energy value chain.
Both parties described the partnership as a significant step toward building a safer, more professional and investment-friendly renewable energy sector capable of supporting Nigeria’s energy transition ambitions and long-term economic growth.
