Benin-based NGO, Connected Advocacy, engaged the National Centre for Energy and Environment (NCEE) to explore collaboration on strengthening local engagement, research, and public advocacy around Nigeria’s energy transition agenda.
Mr. Israel Orekha, Executive Director of Connected Advocacy, made this known during a visit to the centre in Benin, Edo State, on Friday, January 16, 2026.
He said the organisation was keen on bridging the gap between Nigeria’s national energy transition plan and its implementation at the local and institutional levels.
Orekha explained that the advocacy visit was in line with the implementation of the project titled “Taxation as a Phase-Out Strategy from Africa’s Fossil Fuel Industry.”
This project, he said, was being implemented with the support of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
“There is a national energy transition plan, but implementation remains a major challenge.
“Our concern is how this transition is domesticated within local processes, institutions and industries, including the oil and gas sector,” he said.
According to him, effective energy transition requires sustained research, capacity building and advocacy that speaks the “language of the people,” particularly industries and communities that were directly affected.
“What people do not understand, they cannot support. Awareness and capacity building, backed by research, are critical to driving a just and inclusive transition.
“That is why we are here, to see how this centre can work with us to take energy transition conversations beyond policy documents to real, local action,” he added.
In his response, the Director of NCEE, Prof. Emmanuel Ogbomida, welcomed the partnership, describing collaboration as central to the mandate of the centre under the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).
“One of our core focus areas is strong collaboration, both nationally and internationally, especially in research, development and deployment of energy solutions.
“It is a privilege to host Connected Advocacy because advocacy and public engagement are essential to the acceptability of our projects,” Ogbomida said.
The director noted that NCEE was actively involved in projects linking energy, biosafety and climate change, with a growing emphasis on transitioning Nigeria from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
“Energy transition is at the heart of what we do here, moving from fossil fuel dependence to renewable energy.
“Renewable energy offers more reliable and sustainable power, which addresses the persistent challenge of unstable electricity supply in Nigeria,” he said.
Ogbomida also linked the collaboration to ongoing federal initiatives, noting that the current administration had placed energy transition high on its agenda.
“The President is already deploying solar power projects across the six geopolitical zones, targeting universities and key institutions.
“This shows that energy transition is not just policy; it is already being implemented, and the Energy Commission is championing that process,” he said.
He stressed that research alone was insufficient without effective communication and advocacy.
He added that partnerships with advocacy groups helped translate scientific work into public understanding and policy support.
“No matter how good your research is, if you do not communicate it effectively, the impact will be limited.
“Advocacy ensures that people understand what is being done and why it matters,” Ogbomida said.
Both organisations agreed that energy transition goes beyond renewable energy deployment to include energy efficiency, retrofitting existing systems and behavioural change in energy use.
They expressed commitment to developing a working framework to guide joint programmes, including workshops, training and public engagement initiatives.
By Usman Aliyu