UNILAG Ignites Energy Innovation Collaboration in Abuja

In a bold move to position the University of Lagos (UNILAG) at the forefront of Nigeria’s energy innovation landscape, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, OON, has sparked a firestorm of collaboration in the nation’s capital.

During a high-powered visit to Abuja on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the Vice-Chancellor engaged with key stakeholders in the Nigerian energy sector. She first met with the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, and later visited the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji. Their shared agenda: revolutionizing Nigeria’s energy landscape through cutting-edge research and innovations, with UNILAG at the center of this transformative effort.

AFRETEC Innovation Challenge: A Home-Grown Solution At the heart of UNILAG’s vision lies the African Engineering and Technology Network (AFRETEC) Innovation Challenge. This brainchild of UNILAG aims to unearth groundbreaking solutions to Nigeria’s persistent energy challenges, spanning renewable sources, efficiency enhancements, and sustainable storage systems.

The Vice-Chancellor’s pitch resonated with enthusiasm, resulting in a formal invitation for Dr. Abdullahi to attend the upcoming AFRETEC Innovation Challenge Awards at UNILAG. This event promises to be a dazzling showcase of Nigeria’s brightest minds in energy innovation.

A New Era of Collaboration Vice-Chancellor Ogunsola’s meetings in Abuja have set the stage for unprecedented collaboration between academia, government, and industry. With commitments to joint research, capacity building, and fostering entrepreneurship, this powerhouse partnership aims to electrify Nigeria’s progress toward sustainable development and climate change mitigation.