The Lagos State government has announced that it is set to hold the 2026 Lagos Energy Summit, which will focus on practical solutions to power theft, persistent energy challenges and the development of sustainable energy infrastructure.
The state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, disclosed this during a press conference on Thursday held at Alausa, Ikeja, ahead of the summit scheduled for November 10 to 12, themed: “Lagos Energy Evolution: Transforming the Future.”
Ogunleye said discussions at the summit would center on electricity reforms, renewable energy, energy efficiency, metering solutions and the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), electric vehicles, among others.
The commissioner disclosed that Lagos State was engaging the Federal Government to clarify regulatory responsibilities, as well as secure greater control over its energy infrastructure.
Ogunleye said that between 1,500 and 2,000 participants accross the energy value-chain are expected at the summit.
He said the initiative was designed to move discussions on Lagos State’ persistent energy challenges beyond policy declarations to actionable solutions capable of improving electricity supply, expanding energy access and strengthening the state’s economic competitiveness.
He explained that the summit would provide a platform for regulators, electricity distribution companies, power generators, investors, energy suppliers, industry operators, academics, engineers, innovators and development partners to examine existing challenges and develop a workable framework for a more reliable and sustainable energy market.
According to him, “Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial and industrial nerve centre, must take the lead in developing innovative energy solutions that could serve as a model for other states.”
Ogunleye added that commissioners responsible for energy in other states were expected to participate, providing opportunities for knowledge-sharing and the exchange of experiences on electricity market development.
On the energy summit’s priorities, the commissioner identified energy sufficiency, affordability and accessibility, metering, clean energy development, electric mobility and the deployment of efficient and interoperable energy infrastructure as major areas of discussion.
He stressed that addressing the state’s energy needs required a comprehensive approach that went beyond electricity generation and distribution to embrace alternative and cleaner energy sources.
Ogunleye specifically identified Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), electric vehicles and other emerging clean energy technologies as important components of Lagos’ energy transition, noting that the summit would explore investment opportunities and practical applications in these areas.
He described the initiative as an investment in the next generation of energy innovators, emphasising the importance of involving young people in developing solutions to the state’s energy challenges.
Also, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ibilola Kasumu, said the summit would move beyond discussions to address practical challenges and develop workable solutions with stakeholders across the energy sector.
Kasumu said the goal of the summit was to establish a pathway towards stable, round-the-clock electricity supply in Lagos State, with a model that could be replicated in other parts of the country.
According to Kasumu: “Now, we all know that before anything can happen anywhere in the world, power is a major component of what—or a major ingredient of whatever you’re trying to cook.
“So, how do we solve the problem of power? We’ve all been living in Nigeria.
“We know that it’s been a major problem. It’s been a major bottleneck in our advancement. So, this summit is going to be different from the last one, where it’s not just going to be a talk show. “
Saying that the summit would enable stakeholders to bring real problems to the table and look for solutions from different experts in the energy sector, the Permanent Secretary added: “That’s what this summit is about. So, we’re hoping that we will bring captains of different industries, we’re going to bring people from the regulatory sector, we’re going to bring people from distribution sector, we’re going to bring resellers, we’re going to bring supply—anybody in the value chain for electricity will be involved in this summit.”
She expressed optimism that at the end of the summit, “We should be able to come up with a solution or a pathway or framework to how we’re going to solve problem—this power problem in Nigeria and build that road to 24/7 stable electricity in the country. Whatever works in Lagos can be replicated across the nation.
”So please, I’d like everybody to register today if you’ve not registered. Pay attention, contribute, tell us real problems that we need to take back so that we can find solutions to them.
“And let us now all put our hands together so that we can solve this power problem in Lagos,” Kasumu added.
