The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Abdu Bello, has said Nigeria’s power sector underutilization has resulted in capacity payment losses of over N2.376 trillion naira since 2015.

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Bello disclosed this at the 11th Nigeria Energy Forum 2026 (NEF-2026) Conference in Lagos.

The theme of the conference was tagged: “Upscaling Value Addition for Sustainable Industrialisation”.

Bello who was represented at the ceremony by the NISO’s General Manager, Research, Engr. Deji Ojo said that “Presently, as of May 2026, we have available generation capacity of 7,311 megawatts (MW), but out of this, average dispatched generation that we are able to generate, produce and translate into economic value was just 4,222 MW.

“You discover that about 3,162 MW is stranded capacity and not being converted to economic use.

Bello said the establishment of NISO, represents a critical step in repositioning power sector from infrastructure expansion towards operational excellence, market efficiency, reliability and industrial competitiveness.

The CEO said that the major goal of NISO is to translate the existing megawatts into economic use.

In his presentation, Mr Abdulrahman Yinusa, the Group Managing Director (GMD) Odu’a Investment Company Ltd., said reliable power is the entry ticket to industrial growth.

Yinusa who was represented at the conference by the Executive Director, Investment and Business Development, Mr Yemi Ajao said Nigeria sits on the raw materials the world wants most

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“The question is whether we turn them into finished products or keep giving them away cheaply,” he said.

Also speaking, Caroline Eboumbou, the Chief Executive Officer, All On, said “Nigeria’s energy future will be shaped not only by policy or investment, but by the ingenuity of its people.

That is why our partnership with the Tertiary Institutions Student Energy Challenge (TIEC) has been so meaningful.”

Eboumbou, who was represented at the occasion by Jadesola Rawa, Senior Grant Associate said “Today, we are proud to say that some previous TIEC winners have continued their entrepreneurial journey through All On’s Hub.

Three alumni have gone on to receive additional support that is helping them strengthen their businesses, refine their solutions and move closer to commercial success,” she said.

Engr. Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of Nigeran Content Development and Monitoring Board, said “to achieve sustainable development, it is critical to produce or manufacture in Nigeria, utilize made in Nigeria products, and utilize Nigerian human and materials resources.

In a key presentation, Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure said, “NASENI is building an integrated ecosystem where innovation is created locally, manufactured locally and commercialised globally.

Abba Aliyu, CEO, Rural Electrification Agency, represented by Abba Hayatudeen, Snr. Advisor on Strategy, said that “the future will be defined by the number of businesses we empower, industries we revive and prosperity we unlock through sustainable energy.”

Mrs Ibironke Olubamise, the National Coordinator, GEF Small Grants Programme in Nigeria said the GEF SGP financing helps developing country address complex challenges to meet international environmental goals.

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“The programme provides support to build capacity of communities to address environmental issues and improve their livelihoods,” she said

Speaking on the forum, Engr Adekunle Makinde, the NEF Co-Chair said “We have had ten previous editions and by God’s Grace, we are still moving forward.

Prior to NEF, we have had young people with different ideas, different students from different institutions with final year projects and at the end of the year, the projects end up in a trash can or library.

“But now, NEF has been able to get investors who will support these young innovators with grants for clean energy solutions scale up,” he said.

Dr Bamise Olanrewaju, NEF Innovation Director said the All On TIEC4.0 attracted 107 pitch decks from 36 tertiary institutions across 20 states, and the First Prize winner and Public Vote winner was Coolbox, from University of Lagos, led by Samuel-Rotua Richard.

The second place was AutaNet, led by Fadekemi Haruna, and the third place was awarded to DP2P Energy Trading, led by Muhammad Abudulraheem, both from the Federal University of Technology Minna,” she added.

Mfikeyi Makayi, CEO Africa, KoBold Metals said that “AI technology is guiding exploration and development decisions, using Novel Sensors, Data Systems and Predictive Models”.

Prof Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council said that the council is promoting optimal utilisation of Nigeria’s raw materials for sustainable industrial growth, in a speech delivered by Mrs. Ucheckukwu Ojiakor, Lagos State Coordinator.

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Febisola Oyeniyi, GM Enterprise Sales, MTN, said that “we are expanding access while reducing environmental impact. Digital is powering the future of energy. Sustainability is powering the future of digital. Together, both will power Nigeria’s future.”

Dr. Kazeem Raji, Director General of National Board for Technology Incubation added that “NBTI was established precisely to bridge the gap between innovation and industrialization”, in his speech delivered by Mr. Adegoke, Ag. Zonal Director.

In his opening remarks, Dr Oluwole Daniel Adeuyi, the Chairman, NEF, said the theme of 2026 edition reflected Nigeria’s and Africa’s opportunity to transform abundant resources into competitive industries, quality jobs, increased exports and sustainable prosperity.

According to him, the future belongs to nations that add value, manufacture competitively, innovate boldly and build resilient industries. (The Nation)