Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), has warned that Nigeria’s energy crisis will worsen if the government bans the importation of solar panels.

He said local production is not yet enough to meet the country’s needs, and stopping imports would only create more problems.

His statement comes after the Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, announced plans to ban solar panel imports to encourage local production.

But Yusuf believes this approach is not the right one.

“It is important to clarify that Executive Order 5 is a procurement policy which directs Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to give preference to Nigerian service providers in their procurement process for goods and services.

It is clearly different from a trade policy measure which has wider economic implications and requires a more rigorous study before policy pronouncements are made,” he said.

Instead of a ban, he suggested that the government should help local investors by offering tax incentives, reducing tariffs on materials used to make solar panels, and providing low-interest loans.

He also recommended cutting import duties on batteries, inverters, and wind turbines to 5% to reduce reliance on the national power grid.

Nigeria’s electricity supply is already weak, with an average power consumption of 160kWh per person, far below the Sub-Saharan average of 350kWh. Yusuf pointed out that solar energy has helped ease this problem and is gaining popularity.

Minister Nnaji, speaking at an event in Abuja, said the planned ban aligns with Presidential Executive Order No. 5, which promotes local content in science, engineering, and technology.

He claimed that Nigeria is investing in renewable energy and can produce enough solar panels locally, with institutions like the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) leading the way.

Nnaji believes that as local production increases, more Nigerian homes and businesses will switch to off-grid solar power.

But experts like Yusuf warn that banning imports too soon could slow progress in the country’s shift to renewable energy.