Abuja: The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has announced a partnership with the European Union (EU) to initiate a Small Hydro-Power (SHP) project aimed at boosting Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Mr. Reuben Bamidele, UNIDO National Programme Coordinator, revealed this during a two-day workshop focusing on SHPs for agro-industry use in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative, titled ‘Promoting Small Hydropower Development and Circular Economy Approaches in Nigeria’, is funded by the EU and aims to scale food value chains to enhance food security. Bamidele outlined two main components of the initiative: the Small Hydro Power Development for Agro-Industry Use in Nigeria (SHP-DAIN) and Advancing Nigeria’s Green and Just Transition to Net Zero through Circular Economy Practices.
The SHP-DAIN project is designed to increase the capacity of small hydropower in Nigeria’s energy mix to boost productivity in agricultural value chains and other sectors. It is expected to improve livelihoods, promote food security, and create decent work opportunities. The project plans to expand activities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, leveraging state partnerships to supplement EU funding.
One of the primary goals of the SHP-DAIN project is to build human and institutional capacity. UNIDO, in collaboration with stakeholders, aims to train policy and decision-makers, renewable energy project developers, and financial institutions to effectively develop and implement small hydropower projects in Nigeria. Bamidele also pointed out the existing challenges in power generation, transmission, and distribution, emphasizing the need for community engagement in water resource utilization.
Mr. Godfrey Ogbemudia, the EU delegation Programme Manager for Energy, Green, and Circular Economy to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the EU’s commitment to renewable energy initiatives in Nigeria. The EU is supporting the project with 5,000 Euros and has a history of fostering sustainable energy projects, as demonstrated by the Nigerian Energy Support Programme which trained over a hundred developers in solar technologies and project implementation.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, represented by Mr. Adebayo Adebeji, Deputy Director of Renewable Energy, expressed gratitude for the joint efforts of UNIDO and the EU. He emphasized the role of sustainable energy practices in transforming agriculture and achieving food security through various federal ministries.
Mr. John Owa-Akeno, Minister of State, Trade and Industry, represented by Akeju Olutayo, remarked on the potential of small agro-power development to drive Nigeria’s rural growth and agricultural transformation. He noted that Nigeria’s abundant water resources and arable land provide an opportunity to leverage renewable energy for agro-industry development, job creation, and carbon footprint reduction.