The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), with funding from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), has inaugurated Nigeria’s first Small Hydropower (SHP) Centre of Excellence. The historic project, also the first in West Africa, was launched in Abuja on Monday to boost electricity access across the country.
Ambassador Philbert Johnson, UNIDO Director and Representative to ECOWAS, explained that the centre will be based at the University of Abuja. He said it is designed to serve as a regional hub for knowledge transfer, technical training, and policy guidance in small hydropower development.
“The project will also promote hybrid renewable energy solutions that combine SHP with solar and wind technologies to strengthen energy resilience, particularly in rural areas,” Johnson said.
Nigeria is rich in renewable energy resources, including hydropower, solar, biomass, and wind. However, less than five per cent of the country’s SHP potential has been developed due to technical, financial, and policy barriers. Johnson emphasized that the centre has great potential to increase access to affordable electricity and support climate change mitigation.
“The centre will benefit Nigeria and the broader West African region by offering training, knowledge transfer, and guidance for SHP projects. It will also support hybrid renewable energy solutions, enhancing energy sustainability,” he added.
Johnson also acknowledged the support of the Chinese delegation and the Federal Government of Nigeria, noting that the initiative could help the country harness its hydropower potential, improve rural electrification, and drive socio-economic growth, setting an example for other African nations.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, described the centre as an innovative outcome of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation Forecast. He highlighted Nigeria’s abundant but largely untapped hydropower resources and the country’s ongoing challenges in providing reliable electricity.
“This energy gap deepens socio-economic hardships and limits industrial development. Small hydropower is a mature and efficient renewable energy solution, especially suited for rural and remote areas. It aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s needs,” Yu said. He explained that the centre is being established through trilateral cooperation between China, UNIDO, and Nigeria, with financial backing from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund of China.
Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, praised the project, saying it will expand access to renewable energy and address the country’s urgent energy needs, especially for industrial growth. He emphasized that the centre’s technical training, knowledge transfer, and policy guidance will benefit Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
“We fully support this project and look forward to integrating it with other renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, to drive sustainable development,” he said.
The Small Hydropower Centre of Excellence marks a major step forward in Nigeria’s renewable energy journey. By combining local expertise, international collaboration, and hybrid technologies, it promises to enhance energy access, strengthen rural electrification, and support long-term socio-economic growth across the region.
