Business
EXPERTS and stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy sector are advocating a gradual phase-out of solar panel imports rather than an outright ban, warning abrupt restrictions could undermine energy access nationwide. They spoke during the Solar Power Nigeria Media Training in Abuja on Thursday, emphasising that a phased approach would safeguard electricity access while strengthening local manufacturing capacity and supporting long-term sectoral growth.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the government in March and April 2025 announced plans to phase out solar panel imports, citing more than N200 billion spent to encourage domestic production.
Mr Joseph Ibrahim, Nigeria Campaign Director, Secure Energy Project, said discussions were growing on restricting imports to boost manufacturing, noting, “Let me be clear, we wholeheartedly support local manufacturing of solar panels.”
“We want to see factories in our states, jobs for our youth, and a supply chain that begins and ends on our soil,” Ibrahim said, emphasising strong support for domestic production.
Ibrahim, also a member of the Solar Power Nigeria Coalition, said the best path forward was not a sudden policy shift but a phased roadmap implemented carefully over three to five years.
“If we rush this, we risk making solar power too expensive for the millions, who currently rely on it for survival,” he said.
He warned against unintended consequences of abrupt import restrictions.
“By taking a phased approach, we allow time for investors to build their plants, for our workers to learn specialised skills, and for our economy to adjust without losing power.
“Our position is clear: local manufacturing and energy access must grow together. One should not be sacrificed for the other,” he said.
He emphasised the need for balanced and inclusive policy implementation.
“We want a Nigeria where the solar panels on our roofs are built by our own hands, but more importantly, we want a Nigeria where no one is left in the dark,” he added.
According to him, building a manufacturing industry is like planting a forest, noting that policymakers must first prepare the environment before expecting sustainable growth in local production capacity nationwide.
“To make local manufacturing a reality, we don’t just need new laws, we need an enabling environment. This means stability: policies that don’t change with the wind.
“Access to financing and infrastructure that factories need to survive, and strict standards to ensure that a ‘Made in Nigeria’ panel is just as reliable as any in the world.
“We cannot allow our market to be flooded with substandard products that fail our consumers,” he said, emphasising the importance of quality assurance and regulatory enforcement across the sector.
Mr Femi Asonibare, Team Lead, Environmental Sustainability and Green Economy, said renewable energy had emerged as a critical solution to Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges and supply gaps nationwide.
He cited a report by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation, stating many Nigerians remained unaware of the proposed solar import ban and its potential implications.
According to him, the report also indicates that many respondents prefer a phased ban scenario, supported by incentives for importing raw materials needed to sustain local manufacturing efforts.
“They advocated for phase ban with collaboration with some incentives for importing raw material,” he said, highlighting the need for coordinated policy measures to support industry transition.
“The report also shows that infrastructure for locally manufactured panels is not fully available, so there is need for foreign direct investment improvement in government policy.
“So that the local manufacturers and assembling companies can have a higher strength to meet the needs; if that is not done, the price of solar panels will go up.
“Affordability will be an issue, so we advocate that there should be a phase ban instead of an immediate one,” he said, warning of cost implications for consumers nationwide.
Mr Lucky Abing, Nigeria National Coordinator, GreenFaith Africa, said the country was at a critical moment in its energy transition, requiring careful policy decisions to avoid deepening existing access challenges.
Abing said discussions about banning solar panel imports raised concern, noting millions still lacked reliable energy access, describing the situation as both an infrastructural gap and a development crisis.
“You will agree with us that millions of people lack reliable access to any form of energy currently,” he said, highlighting the scale of Nigeria’s electricity access challenges.
“This is not just an infrastructural gap. It’s a development crisis. It affects our healthcare delivery system, livelihood, especially for those from frontline communities.
“At the heart of the challenges are persistent policy and regulatory bottlenecks. We are not against the conversation on the ban from the government.
“But while we commend the government’s efforts and stakeholders, this implementation gap continues to slow progress,” he said, calling for improved policy coordination and execution across the sector.(NAN)
A.I
April 24, 2026
Tags: Mr Femi Asonibare Mr Joseph Ibrahim Secure Energy Project Solar Power Nigeria Media Training