As the issue of energy continues to be one of the most pressing challenges in Nigeria, several practitioners, experts, and players in the industry have offered a variety of perspectives on how the precarious situation might be improved. Experts in the energy sector present at the opening ceremony of a two-day 2022 Global Science, Technology and Innovation Community Conference (G-STIC) have identified the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) STI policy as an excellent measure to leapfrog out of the energy crisis facing the country. Thus, they urge the government to work on implementing the policy.
NACETEM, an agency of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, developed this policy in 2012 for the purpose of proffering solutions to the energy crisis in the country. Also at the event, organized by NACETEM and tagged ‘Science, Technology and Innovation: Pathways to Energy Sustainability in Nigeria’, the experts, including policymakers, academics and energy practitioners, addressed the many challenges associated with the global energy landscape with a particular focus on Nigeria’s energy crisis.
STI is a robust energy policy that would proffer sustainable energy.
When initiated, NACETEM’s STI strategy is expected to create practical, inexpensive, clean, sustainable, and renewable energy. A similar view was expressed by Dr. Olalekan Apela Jesuleye, Head of the Department of Project Management at the School of Innovation Technology at the Federal University of Technology in Akure. He explained that the STI policy is a robust energy policy that would proffer more renewable and sustainable energy, end the country’s energy crisis, and boost the economy.
Dr. Jesuleye argues that the energy sector has vast untapped potential that may be used to accelerate the realization of the SDGs. Consequently, the focus is squarely on utilizing science, technology, and innovation to guarantee Nigeria’s long-term access to reliable energy sources. Therefore, the most crucial step in bolstering the energy sector is creating an appropriate science, technology, and innovation policy channel. Following that is ensuring that sustainable energy is generated without negatively impacting the environment and an enhanced level of life for Nigerians.
Demand for reliable energy is pressing in emerging countries.
On his part, Omimakinde John Akintayo, the agency’s Supervisory Director-General, said the conference would provide a forum for several practical answers to the problems facing the energy sector, including those related to renewable energy, the circular economy, and the green environment. Additionally, NACETEM Governing Board Chairman, Hon. Adewale Haastrup said that the conference’s goal was to assist people in breaking the cycle of poverty and establishing better lives by addressing everyone and every area of the economy.”
According to Haastrup, the demand for dependable and economical energy is particularly pressing in emerging countries. It has the potential to enhance and perhaps save lives. Reliable energy promotes expanding industry, modern agriculture, greater commerce, and enhance transportation in these nations. These are the building elements that enable individuals to rise beyond poverty and live better lives. A recorded commitment to sustainable development is also a solid and practical approach to demonstrating social responsibility.
It is anticipated that energy demand will rise by about 25 percent.
The vast majority of the world’s energy requirements can now be satisfied by hydrocarbons, most notably crude oil. Even though significant progress has been made in energy efficiency, it is anticipated that energy demands will rise by about 25 percent between 2014 and 2040. This indicates that we need to put in more effort to prioritize sustainable energy sources, such as renewable energy, to increase productivity while simultaneously conserving the environment. This may be accomplished via the use of renewable energy sources.
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