By Esther Onyegbula

The 11th edition of the Nigeria Energy Forum, NEF, will focus on industrial growth and value addition as stakeholders intensify efforts to strengthen local industries, improve energy reliability and diversify Nigeria’s economy.

Chairman of the Forum, Daniel Adeuyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos, saying the 2026 edition of the forum would drive practical partnerships capable of accelerating the country’s industrial transformation.
According to him, the forum, themed “Upscaling Value Addition for Sustainable Industrialisation,” is scheduled to hold on June 30, 2026, at the Marcellina Conference Centre, along Radisson Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

Adeuyi said the event would bring together stakeholders from the energy, manufacturing, mining, finance, infrastructure and policy sectors to discuss strategies for improving local value addition and sustainable industrial development.
“The 11th NEF is set to convene leading voices across the energy, manufacturing, mining, finance, infrastructure and policy sectors in Lagos,” he said.
He explained that the forum had, over the years, evolved into one of Nigeria’s major multi-stakeholder platforms, attracting over 8,000 participants globally and mobilising more than 70 million dollars in investments for clean energy and industrial infrastructure.

“For over a decade, NEF has served as one of the country’s leading multi-stakeholder platforms, mobilizing over US$70million investments for clean energy and industrial infrastructure, and bringing together over 8,000 participants globally,” Adeuyi stated.

He added that the 2026 edition would feature discussions on improving energy access, expanding domestic manufacturing capacity, strengthening mineral development and creating sustainable jobs.
Adeuyi further disclosed that the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa report on lithium in Nigeria would be officially unveiled during the event.

“More importantly, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa report on Lithium in Nigeria, which includes recommendation on innovative financing of homegrown critical mineral value add projects, will be officially unveiled by high-level executives, policymakers and investors at the 2026 edition,” he said.

Co-Chairman of the Forum, Adekunle Makinde, said confirmed keynote speakers include executives from All On, GEF-SGP UNDP Nigeria, NISO, Hinckley Africa, UNIDO, MTN, Odu’a Investment Company Limited and the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office.

He added that senior representatives from Kobold Metals, Greenage Technologies, NASENI, NCDMB, NRGI, Heifer International, African Climate Foundation and NASCON Allied would also participate as speakers and panelists.
Makinde stressed the need for Nigeria to move away from exporting raw materials without local processing.

“Nigeria cannot continue exporting raw materials while importing finished products at higher costs.
“The future of sustainable economic growth lies in local value addition, industrial processing, energy security, innovation, and strategic investments that create jobs and build competitive industries,” he said.

According to him, the forum would feature keynote speeches, executive panel sessions, investment dialogues, technical presentations, innovation exhibitions and networking opportunities aimed at fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Makinde noted that the event comes at a critical time when Nigeria is under pressure to create jobs, improve industrial output, increase export earnings and reduce dependence on imports.

He added that over 450 investors and businesses across the globe are expected to participate in the forum to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s energy, manufacturing and industrial sectors.

Also speaking, Bamise Olanrewaju said the fourth edition of the Tertiary Institutions Students Energy Pitch contest would hold during the event as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary of All On.
According to her, the competition would feature the top 10 teams selected from 107 shortlisted teams drawn from 360 student innovators mentored by 91 faculty members across 36 tertiary institutions in 20 states.

“The Top 10 out of 107 teams shortlisted from 360 student innovators mentored by 91 faculty staff in 36 tertiary institutions across 20 different states will pitch and showcase innovative energy solutions at the live finals, and the Top 3 winners awarded grants prizes for homegrown clean energy scale up,” she said.

Olanrewaju added that discussions at the forum would focus on renewable energy transition, financing industrial infrastructure, boosting local manufacturing and promoting youth innovation and entrepreneurship as part of efforts to drive sustainable industrialisation and economic growth in Nigeria.