Nigeria recorded a dramatic 89 per cent drop in solar panel imports in the first quarter of 2025, as government policies promoting local manufacturing begin to take effect.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), only ₦125.29 billion worth of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules were imported during the period, down from ₦237.31 billion in Q4 2024.
This sharp decline comes amid Nigeria’s deliberate push to localise solar production and transition to clean, off-grid energy solutions.
Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, highlighted the recent boom in local capacity:
“Before now, the total capacity of manufacturing in the country was just 110 megawatts. Now, we have a 600-megawatt PV panels manufacturing capacity.”
He noted several key projects driving the shift, including a 100MW plant in Lagos, a 250MW facility in Abuja, and upcoming capacity from GridConnect and OandO, bringing the total closer to full self-sufficiency.
Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, reinforced the federal government’s stance at the unveiling of NEV T6 electric buses in Abuja.
“With NASENI here, we have panels. It has a factory that has started producing solar panels, and private individuals are also producing. So, all we need to do, through our Presidential Executive Order No. 5, is stop all these importations of solar panels,” he said.
He emphasized the environmental and economic benefits, saying:
“We are creating power everywhere. It is not about using diesel, not about PMS. We are saving the environment and putting in place non-carbon emission infrastructure.”
Nnaji also projected that Nigeria’s abundant lithium reserves will be used to produce batteries for both solar power systems and electric vehicles.
“We are adding value to our raw materials. The lithium we have here will be processed and used as batteries,” he stated.
With over 50 renewable energy service companies now operating in the country—up from just 10 previously—the government believes Nigeria is well on its way to widespread off-grid adoption.
“Personally, I have been off-grid for over three years and it is working,” the minister added.
As local production scales and federal policies tighten, Nigeria appears to be turning the page on solar imports—and powering up a new era of clean energy independence.
