Constance Athekame of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) is among 16 Nigerian journalists that secured media grants under the Secure Energy Programme.
The grant is to deepen reportage on renewable energy, energy access, and sustainable development across the country.
The initiative, sponsored by Solar Power Nigeria in partnership with the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), would strengthen public awareness and accountability in Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
The grants were presented at the Media Story Grants Award ceremony held in Abuja as part of efforts to strengthen investigative journalism and amplify public discourse on energy transition.
Speaking at the event, Mr Joseph Ibrahim, the Nigeria Campaign Director of the Secure Energy Project and member of the Solar Power Nigeria Coalition, said that the initiative was designed to boost clean energy adoption through strategic media engagement.
Ibrahim said that the programme aligns with global efforts to promote clean energy consumption while addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges.
“The secure energy programme is about working across the globe to ensure clean energy consumption.
“In Nigeria, our focus is to accelerate clean energy adoption and push for structured policy frameworks that guarantees energy access for all,” he said.
Ibrahim said that energy remained central to Nigeria’s economic growth and security, adding that millions of citizens still lacked adequate access to electricity.
“It is difficult to discuss Nigeria’s economic and security challenges without addressing energy. For decades, energy access has remained inadequate for over 200 million people, and this must change, ‘’ he said.
Ibrahim said the grants were introduced to support journalists in conducting investigative and data-driven reports on clean energy issues, including barriers to renewable energy adoption and success stories across communities.
He stressed that the initiative would help amplify grassroots voices and deepen national conversations around energy access.
The Executive Director of GIFSEP), Mr Michael Terungwa, described renewable energy as an available resource Nigeria must fully harness.
According to him, Nigeria is blessed with abundant sunshine with free and accessible Solar energy, which potential has yet to be harnessed by citizens.
“We must invest in local manufacturing and build capacity before implementing policies like banning solar imports,” he said.
Terungwa said that while promoting local production was necessary, premature restrictions on solar imports could make renewable energy unaffordable for many Nigerians.
He called for a phased approach that balances local industry development with energy accessibility.
Terungwa explained that the media support initiative would enable journalists drive policy engagement and public understanding of clean energy issues in Nigeria.
He disclosed that the programme would expand in the coming years, with plans to support more journalists and facilitate participation in global climate events such as COP32 scheduled to hold in Ethiopia.
The event featured the presentation of grants to the selected journalists from various media organizations.
They were recognized for their commitment to advancing public awareness and evidence-based reporting on renewable energy and sustainable development.
The organizers urged the beneficiaries to use the grants effectively in delivering impactful stories that would drive policy engagement and public understanding of clean energy issues in Nigeria. (NAN)
