Shortly after the Africa Energy Campaign initiated by the UK Department for International Development was launched, an agreement between Nigeria and the UK was signed that calls for the use of solar energy to provide electricity to the rural areas in the West African country.
Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo signed on behalf of Nigeria while the UK Minister of State for International Development, Grant Shapps, signed on behalf of the UK government.
NAN, Nigeria’s official news agency, reported that Osinbajo said his presence at the launch was to underscore Nigeria’s commitment to the national and regional effort to improve accessibility to power, especially solar power, for Nigerians.
He said the program was an opportunity for Africa, adding that the advantage of the launch was that the partners could bring universal access to energy.
“With the cost of solar power 20 years ago that would have been impossible; the combination of innovation in technology, the low cost of solar power has made this all the more possible.This is an incredible opportunity in Africa, especially Nigeria, with over 96 million people who do not have access to power,” Osinbanjo was quoted as saying.