The APC Youth Wing has launched a N17.5 million grant programme for young professionals in Nigeria's renewable energy sector. National Youth Leader Dayo Israel announced the initiative on Monday in Abuja during the launch of the Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship (MAELF). The seven-day residential fellowship targets young professionals working on energy transition, climate action, leadership and governance in the energy sector. Israel said the grant is supported by Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He stated the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu's renewable energy agenda and aims to bring new players into the energy ecosystem.
Israel acknowledged that poor energy generation and distribution remain major obstacles across Nigeria's economy. He quoted the president as saying Nigerians should hold him accountable if he fails to fix the energy sector. The fellowship will enable participants to engage with key agencies including the Energy Commission of Nigeria and the Renewable Energy Agency. Israel said the goal is to build partnerships between young energy entrepreneurs and regulators to advance renewable energy projects. Focus areas include solar, biogas and other clean energy alternatives. He added that the initiative seeks to make the "UP NEPA" challenge a thing of the past.
One of the fellows, Nafisat Ovurebu, co-founder of Fosun Solar Energy Nigeria Limited, said energy unreliability remains a critical barrier, especially in food production. She noted that while Nigeria has abundant energy resources, this does not translate into reliable supply.
Dayo Israel claims the APC Youth Wing is advancing President Tinubu's energy vision, yet ties the grant to figures like Babajide Sanwo-Olu who hold no executive role in national power policy. The fellowship promises engagement with regulators, but offers no direct pathway to grid access or funding for mass deployment. Young energy entrepreneurs may gain visibility, but without access to infrastructure or financing, their projects will remain small-scale. The gap between policy dialogue and operational support remains wide.
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