Lagos convenes energy summit to tackle chronic power outages and pursue 24‑hour supply

The Lagos State Government announced that it will host a three‑day Lagos Energy Summit from 10 to 12 November 2026, inviting electricity regulators, distribution companies, resellers and suppliers to discuss the state’s persistent power‑supply challenges. Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Biodun Ogunleye briefed the media on Thursday, stating that the summit will move beyond policy speeches to focus on concrete industry problems and practical solutions aimed at achieving reliable, round‑the‑clock electricity for Lagos residents and businesses.

Permanent Secretary Ibilola Kasumu added that the summit’s format will differ from previous editions by presenting specific operational bottlenecks to experts for resolution. Focused on the theme of transforming the future through Lagos's energy evolution, the gathering aims to develop practical strategies that other Nigerian states can adopt as a blueprint.

Background

Residents of Lagos have consistently faced unreliable power, with frequent blackouts that fail to meet the twenty-hour daily service guaranteed to Band A subscribers. Recent protests on Lagos Island and other communities highlighted growing public frustration. In response, the state ministry has organised the summit to address structural issues across regulation, distribution, metering and alternative‑energy provision. Ogunleye indicated that discussions will also cover sector reforms, energy‑efficiency measures, renewable‑energy integration, metering solutions and the development of alternative energy sources.

The summit will feature youth‑led clean‑energy innovations, showcasing projects and prototypes developed by secondary‑school students. Organisers expect participation from public officials, private investors, energy experts, academics and innovators, creating a broad platform for collaboration.

Why it matters

Achieving a reliable 24‑hour power supply is critical for Lagos’s economic activity, given the city’s status as Nigeria’s commercial hub. Frequent outages disrupt businesses, increase reliance on costly generators and impede daily life. By clarifying regulatory responsibilities with the Federal Government, the state hopes to strengthen its control over energy infrastructure and reduce dependence on emergency power solutions.

The summit also aligns with Lagos’s clean‑energy agenda, which includes promoting compressed natural gas and electric vehicles as part of a broader transition to lower‑emission transport. Successful reforms could lower operating costs for firms, improve public confidence in the electricity system and provide a replicable framework for other states facing similar challenges.

What happens next

During the summit, participants are expected to produce recommendations on sector reforms and outline implementation plans for renewable‑energy projects and metering upgrades. Ogunleye disclosed that talks with the Federal Government on regulatory roles are ongoing and that outcomes from the summit may inform future legislative or policy adjustments. The event will conclude on 12 November, after which the Lagos Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is likely to publish a report summarising agreed‑upon solutions and next steps for achieving continuous power supply.

The summit’s success will be measured by the extent to which it delivers concrete action plans, secures investment commitments and resolves the regulatory ambiguities that have hampered power delivery in Lagos.