Energy Transition: REA Chief, Stakeholders to Convene at Oriental News Conference

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, will join key industry players, policymakers and financial institutions to discuss Nigeria’s energy transition pathway at the 2026 Oriental News National Conference.

The conference, themed “Carbon Capture: Accelerating Decarbonisation Initiatives in Nigeria’s Extractive Industry Through Broad Regulatory Reforms,” is scheduled to hold on July 23, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.

The event will bring together stakeholders from the energy, finance, manufacturing and regulatory sectors to explore practical strategies for reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainability across Nigeria’s extractive industries.

As part of the discussions, Aliyu is expected to highlight the REA’s role in expanding renewable energy access and supporting the Federal Government’s broader energy transition agenda.

The agency has been at the forefront of deploying solar mini-grids and other decentralised energy solutions to underserved communities, helping to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while improving electricity access in rural areas.

Nigeria’s energy transition is anchored on the Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2060 through investments in renewable energy, clean cooking technologies and power sector reforms.

The conference will also examine financing challenges, investment opportunities, operational sustainability and climate change management under a dedicated sub-theme focused on unlocking resources for decarbonisation initiatives.

Participants are expected to deliberate on regulatory reforms, emerging technologies and industry-led solutions aimed at balancing environmental commitments with economic growth and operational performance.

Now in its fifth edition, the Oriental News National Conference seeks to promote dialogue among public and private sector stakeholders on pathways to achieving Nigeria’s climate goals while strengthening industrial competitiveness and energy security.

The event is expected to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, policy engagement and collaboration on strategies to accelerate the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.