Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its leadership in Nigeria’s energy transition journey as stakeholders gathered for the Lagos Energy Summit 2025, with the theme; “Journey to Energy for All”.
Blacktalker reports that the summit which is scheduled to hold from April 15 to 17, opened with a candid reflection on the state’s troubled energy past and an urgent call to action.
Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources in Lagos, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye in a data-rich address, outlined the state’s ambitious blueprint to achieve reliable, affordable and clean electricity for every resident of Lagos.
“For decades, Lagos has endured a culture of blackouts,” the Commissioner said. “But Lagos is no longer at the mercy of what doesn’t work. We are building what does.”
Quoting data from a joint study with SEforALL, Mr. Ogunleye painted a stark picture of Lagos’ dependency on self-generated power with 4.5 million generators operating across homes and businesses in Lagos, consuming 16 billion litres of fuel annually, with an estimated costing of over ₦14 trillion at today’s rates.
Others are generator emissions which contribute 38 million tons of CO₂ yearly, more than triple the emissions of countries like Togo or Rwanda and an estimated 30,000 lives are lost yearly in Lagos due to carbon monoxide pollution from generator fumes.
He emphasized that the state is done normalizing this burden. “The people have carried the weight of power failure for too long,” he said.
The Commissioner acknowledged former governors and energy commissioners for their early steps toward electricity liberalization, notably citing the introduction of the Enron barges by the then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the early 2000s.
He praised President Tinubu’s passage of the Electricity Act 2023, which empowered states to operate independent electricity markets, saying this legal breakthrough laid the foundation for the Lagos Electricity Law, signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in December 2024, which officially launched the Clean Lagos Electricity Market.
According to Ogunleye, under the state’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda, energy is no longer seen as a stand-alone sector but as the engine of a 24-hour economy.
The Commissioner highlighted a series of policy instruments that now shape Lagos’ energy transition strategy, including an updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), the newly established Lagos Electricity Policy, a forward-looking Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) and the greenlit Lagos Gas Master Plan
He said these initiatives prioritize: Energy diversification, including solar, gas, and hydro, Grid modernization and support for decentralized systems and Investment readiness through clear regulations and transparency.
Ogunleye hinted that expressions of interest are now open for gas-fired, solar and captive power projects aimed at injecting 6GW of electricity into Lagos within the next three years.
He noted that in addition, 22,000 streetlights are being retrofitted to improve energy efficiency and reduce strain on the grid.
“This is bigger than megawatts,” the Commissioner said, “we are building a Lagos that is the top destination for energy investment in Africa and a global case study in the subnational energy transition.”
The Commissioner also outlined how energy reforms will empower entrepreneurs, families and institutions, creating a future where children study under clean, reliable light, homes cook with clean gas, public buses run without diesel, hospitals remain fully powered and investors see Lagos as an energy-secure hub.
He noted that despite its progress, Lagos still faces hurdles such as high costs due to FX-linked gas pricing, vandalism of infrastructure and poor payment culture and unviable utility operations.
To address these, the Commissioner said Lagos is partnering with national bodies like the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to solarize schools, hospitals, agricultural hubs, and underserved communities.
He further said the state is also working with NUPRC on a localized “Lagos Gas” strategy and pushing forward with its E-Mobility Master Plan to electrify public transport.
Additionally, he hinted that the government is expanding clean cooking adoption for low-income households, with support from Ibile Oil & Gas Corporation and other private-sector partners.
Ogunleye called on global and local partners saying: “Lagos is ready. Lagos is open for business. And Lagos is leading the journey to energy for all.”