Connecting the Dots with Emeka Okpukpara

In this special episode, we feature a group of young women in the Power sector. Join Chartered Accountant and Portfolio Manager at UKNIAF Adeola Adebisi; Electrical Engineer and Project Manager at UKNIAF Aisha Mala Sheriff; Energy Policy Research Analyst at Nextier, Doose Iortyom as they reflect on their experiences. They share their insights on critical issues shaping the sector, including valuab...

In this episode of WATTS with the Grid, Female executives in Nigeria's Power sector examine the country's Electricity Act 2023 and its implications for the distribution subsector. With the repeal of the 2005 reform act, the new legislation grants states, private investors, and individuals the power to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity. This conversation explores what this means for th...

This episode discusses how Nigeria can bridge the climate finance gap to meet its ambitious targets. Our guests,  Chintal Barot  (Founder, Co-Sustain Consulting) and  Titilayo Oshodi  (Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State), share insights on accessing funding, the role of gender in climate finance and why the economic argument is crucial for driving...

WATTS with the Grid?  Is back with an informative episode on  Climate and Infrastructure Finance: The What, Whys and Hows. Despite Nigeria investing an estimated USD 1.9 billion annually in climate-related activities, this is just 11% of the USD 17.7 billion needed to meet its emissions reduction goals by 2030. In this episode, we ask the critical questions: What’s driving these disparities? How c...

The global shift to green economies is creating a huge demand for minerals like lithium, copper, cobalt, and manganese. These minerals are essential for batteries, solar panels, and other green tech that underpin the transition from fossil fuels to renewables. However, poorly executed mining projects in fragile regions can exacerbate conflicts, risking the transition’s success at the expense of in...

This week, the Connecting the Dots Podcast features Olamide Niyi-Afuye, CEO of the Africa Mini-Grid Developers Association (AMDA). He joins us to discuss  Financing Options for Mini-Grid Development in Africa . Sustainable mini-grids have emerged as a practical solution to the electrification challenge. However, financing mini-grids in developing countries is challenging. This conversation provide...

WATTS with the Grid? returns with its second episode! This week, women working in the on-grid sector share insights on 'Gas as a Transition Fuel: Rhetoric versus Reality'. While electricity in Nigeria is generated through thermal and hydropower sources, Nigeria's electricity primarily comes from fossil fuels, notably gas, at 86%. This conversation discusses the country's ambitious plans to increas...

Connecting the Dots is pleased to announce a special episode featuring the debut of “Watts with the Grid?” A conversation WITH Women in the Power Sector. This series gives policymakers, managers, and decision-makers in the Nigerian energy space who are women a chance to discuss issues pertinent to transforming the Nigerian energy sector. This podcast series is an initiative of the Women on the Gri...

The global shift towards clean energy sources and growing concerns about the capacity and resilience of energy grids have heightened the interest in energy storage solutions. These technologies are pivotal in bridging the gap between intermittent renewable energy generation and consistent power supply. This episode features Julia Souder, Chief Executive Officer of Long Duration Energy Storage Coun...

Nigeria’s energy transition and the escalating transportation costs prompt a growing interest in using compressed Natural Gas for alternative fueling. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGi) in August 2023 in response to these challenges. This initiative holds a visionary outlook, seeking to harness Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources. In this episode,...

The Connecting the Dots Podcast Series is back! For the first episode of the year, our guest is Mr. Sadiq Wanka. He is the Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on Power Infrastructure. This discussion will explore key sector events from the year 2023, and how these events are shaping Nigeria’s energy sector. Setting the pace for the new year, it is imperative to reflect on 2023, identify ga...

On the 9th of June, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu enacted the Electricity Act 2023 (EA). It is anticipated that the Act will remedy the challenges that derail the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). In this episode, we shed light on the EA provisions, opportunities, challenges and the Act’s potential to shape the future of state electricity markets positively. Discussing this with us...

In August 2022, Nigeria launched its Energy Transition Plan (ETP) to address energy poverty and climate change, aiming for SDG7 by 2030 and net zero by 2060. While challenges are on the horizon, spotlighting the opportunities in Nigeria’s ETP can foster support and catalyze this transition. In this episode, we are joined by  Lolade Abiola , Programme Manager of the Energy Transition Office, to dis...

This week, we have Olu Aruike, Country Director for Husk Power Systems in Nigeria, as our guest. Husk Power Systems achieved a historic milestone in January 2023 by becoming Africa’s first profitable mini-grid company, with Nigeria at the forefront. In this episode, Olu discusses this remarkable achievement and how Husk actively contributes to Nigeria’s energy transition. This conversation also bu...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, our guest is Dr. Damola Omole, Director of Utility Innovation, GEAPP. He joins Emeka Okpupara to discuss grid decentralization as a pathway to unlock renewable energy potential in Nigeria. This episode explains how a decentralized grid can promote efficiency in the Nigerian power sector and how this approach can pave the way to explore alternative energy sou...

This week, the Connecting the Dots podcast features Wangari Muchiri, Director of Africa WindPower, Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). She joins Emeka Okpukpara to discuss how Wind Energy can be harnessed for sustainable energy growth in Africa. This conversation unravels the possibilities wind energy holds for Africa and how its adoption can address energy deficits, propelling sustainable energy g...

This episode of Connecting the Dots features Abba Aliyu, Head Project Management Unit (Nigeria Electrification Project) REA. He joins us to share insights on the positive outcomes and challenges from various projects implemented under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP). This conversation also delves into real-life accounts of communities and institutions that have experienced transformative...

On this episode of Connecting the Dots, our guest is Olajumoke Delano, Head of Regulatory and Government Regulations, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company. She joins us to discuss and enlighten us on the Impact bilateral contracts will have on underserved customers. This episode provides insight into what provisions should be in place for lower band-level customers to promote energy access and r...

In this week’s episode, our guest is Mr Patrick Tonui, Head of Policy and Regional Strategy GOGLA. He joins us to discuss Off-Grid Solar Solutions, and how these solutions can be leveraged, made affordable and accessible to all. He also highlights GOGLA’s work in accelerating the adoption of Solar solutions and closing the energy gaps that persist in Africa.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, our guest is Dr Sam Amadi, Associate Professor and Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought. He joins us to discuss the intersection between Energy and politics. He also highlights the influence of lobbying on policy and regulation and how lobbying can be fair, transparent and focused on the sector’s best interests and the nation’s common...

On this episode of Connecting the Dots, our guest is Tengi George Ikoli, Senior Officer, at Natural Resource Governance Institute. She joins us to discuss and share her perspective on the Energy Transition Plan. This episode dissects the laid-out frameworks, strategies, and innovations to support and drive the success of this plan.

For the first episode of the Connecting the Dots podcast series, our guest is Chibueze Ekeh, Chief Executive Officer of Ceesolar Energy Limited. He joins Emeka Okpukpara, Partner, Nextier Power, to discuss how scaling up solar in Nigeria can promote energy access and boost economic growth.

The growing urbanization in the country requires distribution companies (DisCos) to improve power supply to be able to service end-user customers. This episode of the Nextier Power Podcast features Abigail Botsha, the Head of Marketing and Business Development at GVE Projects Limited. Ms. Botsha joins us to explore some of the prospects for sub-franchising in the DisCos.

This episode of the Power Podcast series features Ruchi Soni, Programme Manager (Result-Based Financing), and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). Ruchi joins us to discuss the recently launched Universal Energy Facility (UEF) programme in Nigeria and its Stand-Alone S0lar for Productive Use (SSPU) component. She highlights the project’s objectives of electrifying and decarbonising small and med...

On this episode of the Power Podcast series, our guest is Oluwatomi Elizabeth Omogbai, Carbon Sourcing Coordinator (Africa), ALLCOT Trading. Ms Omogbai joins us to discuss the concept of carbon trading and its contributions to the global energy transition, highlighting ways Nigeria’s carbon trading marketplace can be improved.