Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially declared open the Lagos Energy Summit 2025, using the high-profile event to express his deep dissatisfaction with the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources over the state’s persistent electricity challenges.
Speaking candidly at the summit, Governor Sanwo-Olu criticized the ministry’s handling of the state’s energy sector, particularly referencing the continued blackout at the Alausa Secretariat – the administrative heartbeat of Lagos. “If we can’t keep Alausa lit, then we are clearly not doing something right,” the governor stated firmly, describing the situation as a stark indictment on the leadership of the energy ministry.
The Governor directly challenged the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, the Permanent Secretary, and all stakeholders in the sector to re-evaluate their strategies and adopt a more innovative, results-driven approach. He urged the ministry to think outside the box, explore homegrown solutions, and embrace cutting-edge technology to address the growing energy demands of the state.
“I expect you to request what is needed to get the job done,” Sanwo-Olu said, emphasizing that the government is ready to back ambitious projects with the necessary funding, provided there is a clear and measurable path to lighting up Lagos.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s remarks come on the heels of the recent enactment of the Lagos Electricity Law 2024, which gives the state greater autonomy in generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity. The law is designed to reduce Lagos’ dependence on the national grid, notorious for its inefficiency and unreliability, and to enable localized energy solutions tailored to the state’s specific needs.
The Energy Summit Themed: “Journey to Energy for All” by The Lagos State Government today made a bold and historic stride toward energy transformation at the Opening Ceremony of the Inaugural Lagos Energy Summit, held at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The energy reform journey in Lagos dates back to the early 2000s, when then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu—now the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR)—initiated the deployment of Enron power barges along the Lagos coastline. This pioneering move was the first tangible attempt to decentralize and democratize electricity supply in Nigeria.
Fast forward to December 2024, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu signed the Lagos Electricity Law, providing a robust legal framework to actualize the state’s energy ambitions. This landmark legislation laid the foundation for the creation of the Clean Lagos Electricity Market, which is now taking shape through:
The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) – currently being updated to reflect emerging realities.
The Lagos Electricity Policy – a strategic blueprint for sustainable power.
The Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) – a road map to operationalize the electricity reforms.
Executive approval to commence the Lagos Gas Master Plan – a key element in the energy diversification agenda.
The summit reflects the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu administration to diversify Lagos’ energy mix with solar, gas, hydro, and other clean and renewable sources, modernize the power grid while encouraging decentralized, community-based energy systems and promote regulatory clarity, enhance transparency, and position Lagos as an investment-ready energy hub.
The government has launched several strategic initiatives to accelerate energy access and efficiency across the state through issuance of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for gas-fired plants, grid-scale solar projects, and captive power systems — with the goal of injecting 6GW of power into Lagos within the next three years, retrofitting over 22,000 streetlights across the state with energy-efficient solutions to reduce pressure on the national grid.
To drive and sustain this energy revolution, Lagos State has established several new agencies and structures, including Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) – overseeing compliance and standards, Lagos State Electrification Agency (LSEA) – formerly the Lagos State Electricity Board, now repurposed to drive community electrification, Lagos State Independent System Operator – housing both the Network Operator and Market Operator for managing power flows and transactions and Power Enforcement Unit – for regulatory compliance and safety enforcement with Electricity Fund – comprising the Host Development Fund and Special Purpose Fund to ensure financial sustainability.
However, the governor expressed disappointment with the ministry’s apparent lack of preparedness for the summit, noting that many of the presentations delivered did not align with Lagos’ broader energy goals. “This summit should be a platform to showcase bold ideas and tangible plans, not vague promises,” he said.
He also called on the ministry to open its doors to more competent and diverse players in the private sector who can bring expertise and investment to the table. He expressed concern over reports of the ministry granting exclusive rights to a single company for street lighting in the state, describing the decision as lacking transparency and potentially stifling competition.
In terms of the state’s energy future, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted plans to generate 3 gigawatts of power through a mix of renewable energy sources, natural gas, and waste-to-energy initiatives. A significant focus will be on solar energy, with the government targeting the installation of 1 gigawatt of solar power by 2030. This initiative aims to not only boost electricity access across Lagos but also attract substantial investments and create thousands of green jobs.
The Lagos Energy Summit 2025 brings together key industry stakeholders, investors, policymakers and innovators, with the goal of driving sustainable and inclusive energy development in Africa’s most populous city. The governor’s opening address set the tone for what is expected to be a robust, no-holds-barred discussion on the path forward for Lagos’ energy future.
