The Federal Government has disclosed plans to secure over $400 million in new renewable energy investments within the next two days as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s clean energy manufacturing value chain.

Vice President Kashim Shettima made this known on Tuesday during the Nigerian Renewable Energy Innovation Forum 2025 held in Abuja. He said the investments, facilitated through the forum’s engagements, will fund the establishment of solar panel assembly plants, smart meter production lines, and battery storage and recycling facilities across several states.

According to Shettima, the initiative aims to boost local production capacity and reduce dependence on imported solar panels, in line with the administration’s Nigeria First policy.

“Over the next two days, agreements will be signed, partnerships will be forged and a national roadmap consolidated,” he said. “Through engagements facilitated under this forum, more than $400 million in new investment commitments have been mobilised into Nigeria’s renewable energy manufacturing value chain.”

The Vice President added that the projects are expected to create over 1,500 direct jobs and demonstrate growing global confidence in Nigeria’s clean energy industrialisation efforts.

“These investments are projected to create over 1,500 direct jobs across multiple states and reflect growing global confidence in Nigeria’s clean energy industrialisation drive,” he noted, adding that the forum must produce tangible outcomes like factories, electrified schools, and thriving rural enterprises powered by clean energy.

Shettima emphasised that the success of Nigeria’s energy transition would depend not on lofty projections but on the country’s ability to deliver practical, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions to its citizens.

The forum, themed “Implementing the Nigeria PACE Policy: Facilitating Local Content Development and Manufacturing in the Renewable Energy Ecosystem,” was designed to foster local innovation and industrial participation in the clean energy transition.

Highlighting the investment potential in the sector, Shettima said Nigeria’s energy transition represents a $410 billion opportunity by 2060, with $23 billion required in the short term to expand energy access and connect millions still living without electricity.

“This is an invitation to establish Nigeria as the hub for renewable energy manufacturing in Africa,” he said. “From solar panel assembly lines in Lagos to battery recycling hubs along our industrial corridors, Nigeria must not only participate in this revolution but lead it.”

He reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to policies that encourage local manufacturing, streamline regulatory frameworks, and deepen collaboration with investors, state governments, and development partners.

Shettima praised the Federal Ministry of Power and the Rural Electrification Agency for advancing decentralised and inclusive energy initiatives, stressing that private sector participation and subnational collaboration are key to achieving national energy goals.

He urged state governments and investors to drive renewable energy industrialisation through technology localisation, skills development, and value chain expansion.

“We count on our state governments to champion renewable energy industrial processes and serve as engines of green growth across the federation,” he stated. “This forum must prove that it is here for action, not mere deliberations.”

The Vice President affirmed that Nigeria possesses the minerals, manpower, and market size to lead Africa’s clean energy revolution, describing the nation’s youthful population as its greatest asset.

“We have too much at stake to be left behind,” he said. “Nigeria is ready to harness her resources, unlock her capital, and lead Africa’s green industrial revolution.”

Shettima also assured Nigerians that the ongoing economic challenges were temporary, expressing confidence that government reforms were steering the economy toward sustainable growth and stability.

“Our economy has turned the corner. The pains of saturation will soon be over,” he said. “We are on a path to sustainable growth, and there is a silver lining on the horizon.”

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made on Tuesday during a press conference in Enugu, where the governor said the decision followed “deep reflection” and was guided by his commitment to better serve the people of the state.

Mbah explained that joining the APC would allow him to align more closely with the ruling party’s vision for development and progress, noting that it presented “greater opportunities for collaboration and growth.”

He expressed appreciation to the PDP for the platform that brought him to power, describing the party as an important part of his political journey.

“To the Peoples Democratic Party which provided us the platform on which we campaigned and won, I extend deep gratitude. The PDP supported us through a demanding campaign and joined us in celebrating the victory,” he said.

“Leadership demands difficult, even painful decisions, in the service of higher principles and goals. And there comes always a time where everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny. Today, after a long reflection, we have made a decision to join the All Progressives Congress.”

Mbah assured residents of Enugu that his defection would not derail his administration’s focus on service delivery and infrastructural development, stressing that it was a strategic move aimed at accelerating the state’s growth.

The defection comes a day after members of his cabinet reportedly joined the APC, setting the stage for his formal declaration.

Broom traders in Enugu State are recording brisk sales following the defection of Governor Peter Mbah from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mbah’s defection, which is expected to be formally announced on Tuesday, reportedly involved all his political appointees, who also resigned from the PDP after an extended cabinet meeting at the Government House on Monday.

A video posted by Mbah’s media aide, Dan Nwomeh, confirmed the mass defection as state officials were seen waving APC flags and chanting praises of both the governor and President Bola Tinubu. In the video, the excited appointees could be heard declaring, “We are now in APC, tomorrow is here; it is APC all the way; it is Jagaban all the way.”

According to a Leadership Newspaper correspondent who visited major markets in the state, the development has triggered a shortage of brooms — the official symbol of the APC — as demand surged ahead of the planned defection ceremony.

Traders said the rush for brooms began shortly after news of the defection broke, with many new sellers joining the trade to meet growing demand.

At the Kenyatta Market, a trader, Obinna Maduagwu, said he had been making significant profits since rumours of the defection began circulating. “Honestly, since the rumor started, we have been experiencing a boom in our business. I have been doing supply, and I have been making serious money,” he said.

Another trader, Mrs. Ifeoma Obigeri, confirmed that her entire stock sold out early Tuesday morning after PDP members reportedly bought up her remaining brooms.

Similarly, at Udi Market, Miss Ifeoma Ngene said members of the APC women’s wing cleared her entire stock on Friday, urging her to restock for future events.

At Artisan Market, Mrs. Grace Okeke said she had completely sold out as well. “How I wish this kind of political event would be happening in Enugu daily. As I speak with you, I don’t have a single broom because the APC people came to clear all the brooms for their event tomorrow,” she said.

The mass demand has created what traders are describing as a “broom boom” across Enugu State, coinciding with Mbah’s anticipated formal defection and rallying of supporters to the APC.