The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a landmark solar electrification initiative tagged “Light-Up Ibeju-Lekki“, bringing clean, renewable energy to the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.
The solar project in Ibeju-Lekki initiative, which is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, was launched on Tuesday through the collaborative efforts of the Presidential Community Engagement Office (South-West), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Authority.
During the project unveiling ceremony, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-West), Moremi Ojudu, emphasized the project’s role in delivering inclusive development through locally driven and community-based solutions.
“We are here today on behalf of President Bola Tinubu to say, ‘We see you, we hear you, and we are with you.’ This project is not just about solar panels; it’s about real empowerment, homegrown solutions, and shared progress,” Ojudu stated.
He explained that the solar power project is designed to reduce electricity costs for households and small businesses, while also creating new employment and innovation opportunities for youth in the community. The project is seen as a beacon of progress for rural and underserved communities that often suffer from unreliable electricity supply.
The Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Sesan Olowa, praised the initiative, describing it as timely and deeply aligned with the council’s grassroots development goals.
“We are grateful for this federal intervention and proud that Ibeju-Lekki has been chosen as a beneficiary community. This will help support our people and the local economy,” Olowa said.
To ensure effective implementation and local sustainability, selected youths from the Ibeju-Lekki area were trained in solar panel installation and maintenance. This training component not only supports the immediate rollout but also empowers residents with lifelong technical skills and job opportunities within the renewable energy sector.
A representative of NASENI, Adesoji Oyedeji, reiterated the agency’s vision to expand energy access across Nigeria through localized innovation. He stressed that the Light-Up Ibeju-Lekki project is one of several steps aimed at decentralizing power generation and improving livelihoods in off-grid communities.
“This is about innovation meeting impact. We’re not just delivering technology; we are catalyzing change from within the community,” Oyedeji added.
This solar power project forms part of a broader federal strategy to address Nigeria’s power deficit using sustainable technologies. According to data from the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), over 85 million Nigerians currently lack access to electricity, making projects like this critical for achieving national development targets and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
In addition to powering homes and businesses, stakeholders say the project is expected to improve safety at night, reduce the cost of generators and fuel for small traders, and support the digital economy by making device charging more accessible.
The Federal Government plans to replicate similar solar interventions across other underserved areas in Nigeria, especially in rural regions of the North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South-South, where grid electricity is still largely unavailable.
As Nigeria battles chronic power supply challenges, the Light-Up Ibeju-Lekki project offers a glimmer of hope and a practical model for sustainable energy delivery. By combining presidential commitment, local engagement, and indigenous innovation, this initiative sets a powerful precedent for inclusive development in the 21st century.
With the lights now on in Ibeju-Lekki, residents are optimistic that this is not just a momentary intervention but the dawn of a new era in energy and economic empowerment.