The Bank of Agriculture (BoA) has raised concerns that Nigeria’s deepening energy poverty is undermining food security, agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods, warning that millions of Nigerians and thousands of farming communities remain without reliable electricity.
The warning was issued during a capacity-building workshop on the Clean Energy Access Framework (CEAF) for BoA staff in Kaduna. The workshop was organised in partnership with DalaHill LP and funded by the Africa Climate Foundation (ACF).
Head of the Clean Energy Delivery and Innovation Unit at BoA, Dr. Adnan Aminu, said about 86.8 million Nigerians, representing 46.4 per cent of the population, lack access to electricity, while more than 120,000 farming communities operate without reliable power.
He said the persistent energy deficit is affecting every stage of the agricultural value chain—from production and irrigation to processing, storage and value addition—forcing many farmers and agro-processors to rely on costly diesel and petrol-powered equipment.
“Agriculture requires energy not only for production but also for processing, storage, value addition and virtually every stage of the agricultural value chain. What we are doing is positioning the Bank of Agriculture to credibly finance clean energy solutions for the sector,” Aminu said.
BoA Unveils Clean Energy Financing Plan
To address the challenge, the bank is developing a Clean Energy Access Framework, which will enable it finance renewable energy solutions such as solar-powered irrigation systems, cold storage facilities, mini-grids and clean energy-powered processing equipment.
Aminu said the framework is expected to be completed before the end of the month, after which the bank will begin mobilising funds from international development partners, government and the private sector.
According to him, the bank plans to provide financing ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million for small-scale clean energy projects, while larger investments will receive funding based on their commercial viability.
Project Manager at DalaHill LP, Toby Ilori, said Nigeria has enormous agricultural potential but has struggled to access global climate finance due to weak institutional frameworks.
She explained that DalaHill is supporting BoA in building the technical expertise and systems required to structure bankable clean energy projects capable of attracting climate financing.
“We have the land, we have the people and we have the knowledge. What has been missing is the infrastructure and financing framework needed to unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential,” she said.
Ilori added that inadequate electricity has weakened processing, storage and agricultural supply chains, making it difficult for farmers to preserve produce and compete in domestic and international markets.
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Also speaking, BoA’s Head of Strategy and Performance Management, Ogaruwu Anselm, said the initiative aligns with global efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
He noted that renewable energy technologies, particularly solar-powered cold storage facilities, would significantly reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ incomes.
According to him, expanding access to clean energy will strengthen Nigeria’s food security, increase agricultural productivity and support the country’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.
The Catalyzing Clean Energy Solutions for Agricultural Value Chains Project has already established a dedicated Clean Energy Delivery and Innovation Unit within the Bank of Agriculture to drive implementation of the framework and attract domestic and international climate finance for sustainable agricultural development.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.