By Esther Onyegbula

Engr. Abdu Bello, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), on Monday said Nigeria’s power sector underutilisation has resulted in capacity payment losses of over N2.376 trillion since 2015.

Bello disclosed this at the 11th Nigeria Energy Forum 2026 (NEF-2026) Conference in Lagos.
The theme of the conference was: “Upscaling Value Addition for Sustainable Industrialisation.”

Bello, who was represented at the ceremony by NISO’s General Manager, Research, Engr. Deji Ojo, said: “Presently, as of May 2026, we have an available generation capacity of 7,311 megawatts (MW), but out of this, the average dispatched generation that we are able to produce and translate into economic value is just 4,222 MW.

“You will discover that about 3,162 MW is stranded capacity and is not being converted into economic use.”
Bello said the establishment of NISO represents a critical step in repositioning the power sector from infrastructure expansion towards operational excellence, market efficiency, reliability and industrial competitiveness.

The CEO said the major goal of NISO is to translate the existing megawatts into economic value.
In his presentation, Mr Abdulrahman Yinusa, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Odu’a Investment Company Ltd., said reliable power is the entry ticket to industrial growth.

Yinusa, who was represented at the conference by the Executive Director, Investment and Business Development, Mr Yemi Ajao, said Nigeria sits on the raw materials the world wants most.

“The question is whether we turn them into finished products or keep giving them away cheaply,” he said.
Also speaking, Caroline Eboumbou, the Chief Executive Officer of All On, said: “Nigeria’s energy future will be shaped not only by policy or investment, but by the ingenuity of its people.

“That is why our partnership with the Tertiary Institutions Student Energy Challenge (TIEC) has been so meaningful.”

Eboumbou, who was represented at the occasion by Jadesola Rawa, Senior Grant Associate, said:
“Today, we are proud to say that some previous TIEC winners have continued their entrepreneurial journey through All On’s Hub.

“Three alumni have gone on to receive additional support that is helping them strengthen their businesses, refine their solutions, and move closer to commercial success.”
Engr. Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, said: “To achieve sustainable development, it is critical to produce or manufacture in Nigeria, utilise made-in-Nigeria products, and utilise Nigerian human and material resources.”

In a keynote presentation, Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), said: “NASENI is building an integrated ecosystem where innovation is created locally, manufactured locally, and commercialised globally.”

Abba Aliyu, CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency, represented by Abba Hayatudeen, Senior Adviser on Strategy, said: “The future will be defined by the number of businesses we empower, industries we revive, and prosperity we unlock through sustainable energy.”

Mrs Ibironke Olubamise, the National Coordinator of the GEF Small Grants Programme in Nigeria, said the GEF SGP financing helps developing countries address complex challenges and meet international environmental goals.
“The programme provides support to build the capacity of communities to address environmental issues and improve their livelihoods,” she said.

Speaking at the forum, Engr. Adekunle Makinde, the NEF Co-Chair, said: “We have had 10 previous editions and, by God’s grace, we are still moving forward.
“Prior to NEF, young people from different institutions developed final-year projects, but at the end of the year, those projects ended up in a trash can or a library.

“Now, NEF has been able to attract investors who will support these young innovators with grants to scale up clean energy solutions,” he said.
Dr Bamise Olanrewaju, NEF Innovation Director, said the All On TIEC 4.0 attracted 107 pitch decks from 36 tertiary institutions across 20 states.

He said the first prize winner and Public Vote winner was Coolbox, from the University of Lagos, led by Samuel-Rotua Richard.
The second-place winner was AutaNet, led by Fadekemi Haruna, while the third prize was awarded to DP2P Energy Trading, led by Muhammad Abdulraheem, both from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, she added.

Mfikeyi Makayi, CEO Africa, KoBold Metals, said:
“AI technology is guiding exploration and development decisions using novel sensors, data systems, and predictive models.”
Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, said the council is promoting the optimal utilisation of Nigeria’s raw materials for sustainable industrial growth, in a speech delivered by Mrs Ucheckukwu Ojiakor, Lagos State Coordinator.

Febisola Oyeniyi, GM, Enterprise Sales, MTN, said: “We are expanding access while reducing environmental impact. Digital is powering the future of energy. Sustainability is powering the future of digital. Together, both will power Nigeria’s future.”

Dr Kazeem Raji, Director-General of the National Board for Technology Incubation, added: “NBTI was established precisely to bridge the gap between innovation and industrialisation,”
In a speech delivered by Mr Adegoke, Acting Zonal Director.
In his opening remarks, Dr Oluwole Daniel Adeuyi, Chairman of NEF, said the theme of the 2026 edition reflected Nigeria’s and Africa’s opportunity to transform abundant resources into competitive industries, quality jobs, increased exports, and sustainable prosperity.

According to him, the future belongs to nations that add value, manufacture competitively, innovate boldly, and build resilient industries.