In a significant push to deepen regulatory collaboration and improve safety in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector, the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) recently paid a high-level courtesy visit to the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) at its headquarters in Abuja.
Led by its President, Mr. Ayo Ademilua, the REAN delegation was received by Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, the Managing Director/CEO of NEMSA and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, alongside senior officials and technical officers from the agency.
Mr. Ademilua, in his opening remarks, underscored REAN’s strong commitment to promoting adherence to standards, safety, and quality assurance in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding clean energy space. He highlighted that REAN represents over 300 stakeholders—including developers, manufacturers, service providers, and academic institutions—and is actively engaged in harmonizing international best practices with Nigeria’s local market needs.
The visit marked the formal introduction of REAN’s Standardization Working Group, a new initiative aimed at bridging gaps in technical oversight, capacity development, and compliance monitoring within the sector. The Association proposed the creation of a liaison desk within NEMSA to serve as a dedicated channel for coordinating inspections, certifications, and industry updates.
In his response, Engr. Tahir reaffirmed NEMSA’s statutory mandate to enforce technical standards across the electricity value chain. He noted that while the renewable energy sector offers enormous promise, it must grow on a foundation of safety, professionalism, and certified equipment.
“We are already working with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigeria Customs Service to address the issue of substandard products and unqualified installers,” Engr. Tahir stated, adding that NEMSA welcomes REAN’s collaborative spirit and sector-wide initiatives.
He commended REAN’s proactive leadership and pledged NEMSA’s support in advancing the quality and safety of renewable energy installations, especially as demand for solar and off-grid solutions surges nationwide.
A key outcome of the visit was the mutual agreement to establish a joint technical working team that will focus on:
- Identifying priority areas for nationwide sensitization
- Aligning training and certification programs
- Developing strategies for stronger enforcement and public education
REAN also extended an invitation to NEMSA to participate in its upcoming Energy Access Roadshow—a state-to-state campaign designed to educate developers, technicians, and end-users on safe practices and regulatory requirements in clean energy deployment.
Both parties emphasized the importance of domesticating global standards to ensure they are enforceable under Nigerian law and tailored to local operating conditions.
As Nigeria works to scale renewable energy deployment for improved energy access and climate resilience, the REAN–NEMSA collaboration represents a crucial step toward institutional coordination, improved regulation, and investor confidence.
The meeting ended with a shared commitment to strengthen oversight mechanisms and protect both human lives and energy investments across the country.
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