Nigeria's push toward renewable energy is increasingly defined by a contradiction: vast natural resources on one hand, and heavy dependence on imports on the other. Speaking on TVC News, renewable energy expert Michael David laid bare this tension, pointing to deep structural gaps—especially in mining, local processing, and policy direction.

"Nigeria has not benefited in terms of exporting solar panels… I think the best we have done is to export lithium in its unrefined form for it to be processed and sent back to us."

Despite rising demand for alternative energy, Nigeria remains a major importer of solar infrastructure. According to data cited during the interview, solar panels are now among the country's top imports.

"In 2025 alone, we imported over 2.9 million solar panels… over ₦400 billion that we are spending just to import solar panels."

Yet, the irony is stark. The country possesses key raw materials required for solar production—particularly silica.

"The raw material for producing solar panels is silica… and nearly 25 states have this in abundance… some in its purest form, nearly 95% pure."

This disconnect between resource availability and industrial output underscores a broader issue in Nigeria's extractive sector: exporting raw materials while importing finished goods at a premium.

The problem is even more pronounced in lithium mining—a critical component in battery production. Nigeria holds significant deposits, but local value addition remains minimal.

"We are blessed with lithium in abundance… data shows deposits worth over $34 billion… yet we export everything in raw form."

David warned that Nigeria risks replicating the resource curse seen elsewhere in Africa, where extraction happens without development.

"When you go to Nasarawa… companies will rather employ locals to mine unsustainably. No EIA carried out, no environmental protection… all they want is the lithium."

This raises urgent concerns about environmental degradation, weak regulation, and lost economic opportunity. Without refining and manufacturing capacity, Nigeria continues to sit at the lowest rung of the value chain.

While interest from foreign investors is growing—with proposed battery plants in Nasarawa and Kaduna—David emphasised that policy uncertainty remains a major barrier.

"It is making the policy environment right… so that these companies can feel comfortable to invest heavily."

He also questioned past policy moves, such as proposed bans on solar imports.

"Why are we banning what we don't have? Why are we banning what we call a lifeline?"

Instead, he called for incentives that encourage domestic production, from mining to manufacturing.

Nigeria's national grid continues to struggle, transmitting far below installed capacity. In contrast, decentralised solar systems are gaining traction.

"We have installed capacity of 13,000 megawatts… but transmission struggles beyond 6,000… the infrastructure is old."

David argued that renewable energy—particularly mini-grids and solar farms—offers a practical workaround.

"If you set up one solar park in each constituency, you've actually powered the country."

He stressed that decentralisation is not about abandoning the grid, but complementing it.

At the heart of David's argument is a call for energy sovereignty—powered by local resources and local industry.

"Energy independence is one of the best things you can have as a nation… but there are people elsewhere intentional about making you dependent."

He linked this dependency to global energy shocks, noting how international conflicts affect domestic fuel prices.

"Someone somewhere is controlling your energy… and we are all suffering."

Beyond solar and lithium, Nigeria's renewable potential extends to wind, hydro, and even waste-to-energy systems. However, structural inefficiencies persist.

"We don't separate our waste… so no company will invest in waste-to-energy when they must first solve segregation."

He also pointed to innovative possibilities: "Some agro-waste, like corn stalk, can be used in producing solar panels… we have everything."

Nigeria's renewable energy future hinges on resource availability, governance, industrial policy, and strategic investment. David's insights reveal that the real challenge is not discovering wealth beneath the soil, but building the systems that ensure it benefits the nation above it.