Key points
- An environmental physicist says Nigeria risks slowing its energy transition without stronger investment in physics-based research.
- The expert highlighted physics as central to solar, wind and biomass energy development.
- Nigeria’s solar potential was described as highly favourable for electricity generation.
- Physicists contribute to improving renewable energy systems, efficiency and materials research.
- Weak funding and poor infrastructure are limiting scientific contributions to energy development.
Main Story
An Environmental Physicist, Prof. Sakiru Okedeyi, has warned that Nigeria’s energy transition and renewable energy expansion could be slowed unless the country significantly increases investment in physics-based research and innovation.
Okedeyi, who serves as Provost of the Postgraduate College at the Lagos State University of Education, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos.
He said physics provides the foundational science behind most renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind and biomass systems, making it a strategic driver of the global energy transition.
According to him, physics should not be viewed as a supporting discipline but as a core enabler of Nigeria’s long-term energy security and development goals.
He stressed that Nigeria’s high solar radiation levels, estimated at between four and seven kilowatt-hours per square metre daily across most regions, present significant opportunities for large-scale electricity generation.
Okedeyi said physicists play key roles in improving solar technologies, modelling energy conversion systems and increasing the efficiency of renewable energy infrastructure.
He added that in wind energy development, physicists help measure wind resources, identify viable locations for wind farms and optimise turbine performance under local climatic conditions.
According to him, biomass energy systems also depend on physics-based tools such as thermal efficiency analysis, energy conversion modelling and emissions monitoring.
The expert noted that physicists are also involved in developing indigenous renewable energy technologies and advancing materials research for solar panels and battery storage systems.
He said research in energy-efficient technologies could help Nigeria reduce energy losses while improving electricity access for households and businesses.
Okedeyi also highlighted the importance of physicists in providing evidence-based policy guidance, training renewable energy professionals and strengthening academic curricula in universities.
He said Nigeria already possesses the scientific capacity needed to support its energy transition but requires stronger institutional support and funding.
According to him, inadequate funding, weak research infrastructure and limited policy backing continue to hinder the full contribution of physics to national development.
The Issues
- Insufficient investment in physics-based research and innovation in Nigeria.
- Weak research infrastructure limiting scientific contributions to energy development.
- Slow adoption and scaling of renewable energy technologies.
- Limited policy support for science-driven energy transition strategies.
What’s Being Said
- Prof. Sakiru Okedeyi said: “Physics is not merely a supporting discipline; it is a strategic enabler of Nigeria’s energy transition.”
- He said: “Physicists contribute by improving solar technologies, modelling energy conversion systems and enhancing the efficiency of renewable energy infrastructure.”
- He also said Nigeria has scientific capacity but suffers from “inadequate funding, weak research infrastructure and limited policy support.”
What’s Next
- Stakeholders in government and industry may consider increased funding for renewable energy research.
- Universities and research institutions could expand physics-driven energy programmes.
- Policy makers may integrate more science-based approaches into energy transition planning.
Bottom Line
Experts warn that Nigeria’s renewable energy ambitions could be constrained without stronger investment in physics-based research, as scientific innovation remains central to improving solar, wind and biomass energy systems and ensuring long-term energy security.
