In a bid to address Nigeria’s electricity shortage and boost rural development, the Federal Government has partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Chinese government to launch a Small Hydropower Centre of Excellence in Abuja.
Funded by the China International Development Cooperation Agency, the initiative aims to expand renewable energy capacity, enhance rural electrification, and support agro-industrial growth across underserved communities. The centre, the first of its kind in Nigeria and West Africa, will be hosted at the University of Abuja and serve as a regional hub for technical training, policy guidance, and knowledge transfer in small hydropower deployment.
Philbert Johnson, UNIDO Regional Director, highlighted the untapped potential of Nigeria’s renewable energy resources, particularly small hydropower, which remains underdeveloped due to technical, financial, and policy barriers. He said the new centre will help overcome these challenges and promote hybrid energy solutions by combining small hydropower with solar and wind technologies.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, described the project as a major step toward inclusive energy access and rural economic growth. He noted that integrating small hydropower into agro-industrial systems will enhance food security, create jobs, and stimulate local economies.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, assured full institutional support to ensure successful implementation, while the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, emphasized that small hydropower offers a practical solution for Nigeria’s rural electricity needs and aligns with broader China-Africa-UN development cooperation.
The centre is expected to strengthen local expertise, coordinate small hydropower deployment, and contribute to Nigeria’s energy transition agenda by promoting clean, reliable, and off-grid power solutions, particularly in rural communities where electricity access remains limited.
