Aliyu of Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria

This session provided an in depth look at Nigeria’s rural electrification landscape and the strategic work being carried out by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand clean, reliable energy access across the country. Engr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu walked participants through REA’s vision, mission, and national mandate, highlighting real deployment examples such as interconnected mini grids, hybrid solar systems for MSMEs, large scale solar plants for universities and teaching hospitals, and standalone renewable solutions for underserved communities. Using detailed project maps and case studies, he demonstrated how renewable energy is transforming education, healthcare, agriculture, and small businesses nationwide.

The session also addressed Nigeria’s energy access deficit and the country’s long term electrification goals, supported by data on population growth, funding needs, and least cost energy models. Engr. Aliyu explained REA’s multi layered strategy covering financing pipelines, operational frameworks, sustainability models, and public private partnerships to scale mini grids and off grid systems sustainably. In addition, he introduced the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NESIP) and its role in data driven planning, stakeholder alignment, and regulatory coordination.

To conclude, he discussed the development of Nigeria’s renewable energy talent pipeline through national STEM programs, the NextGen RESCO initiative, and plans for the Africa Renewable Energy University. The session gave students a comprehensive understanding of how engineering, policy, and sustainable energy solutions work together to power communities and drive national development.

Biography:

Abba Abubakar Aliyu is the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria, appointed for a term starting 23 January 2025. 
He brings over 20 years of experience in the energy sector, including leadership roles in both on-grid and off-grid power delivery, as well as in the water resources and transportation sectors. 
Before becoming the substantive MD of REA, he served as Acting MD from March 2024 and held prior positions such as Head of the Project Management Unit at the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), General Manager of Corporate Services/Projects & Research, and Deputy General Manager at Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET).
In his current role, he is charged with advancing Nigeria’s renewable energy agenda, improving access to electricity in rural communities, and guiding the REA to align with the national “Renewed Hope” energy strategy.

Email:

Address:The Centurion Building, 15th Street, Constitution Ave. CBD., Opposite Churchgate Building Abuja, Nigeria, , Abuja, Nigeria

Eferebo of Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA)

Engr. Dr. Eferebo Sylvanus, National Chairman of the Nigeria Institution of Maritime Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA), opened his keynote by defining the Blue Economy as a strategic national imperative capable of generating over N1 trillion annually, transforming Nigeria from a nation of "black gold" to "blue gold". He emphasized that Nigeria is fundamentally a maritime nation, possessing an 853-kilometer coastline and vast inland waterways, yet the sector is critically hindered by a lack of "technical sovereignty". Dr. Sylvanus critiqued the industry's heavy reliance on foreign technical services for vessel classification and certification, noting that while Nigeria is politically sovereign, it remains technically dependent. This reliance results in significant capital flight and limits the operational capability of local engineers, necessitating the urgent establishment of an indigenous classification body to ensure safety assurance and design compliance remain within Nigerian control.

Turning to specific opportunities for revitalization, Dr. Sylvanus advocated for a deliberate shift away from foreign procurement towards investing in local shipbuilding and dry-docking capacity to design, construct, and maintain vessels domestically. He positioned this engineering independence as a core component of national defense and economic resilience that would allow the country to retain funds currently spent on foreign maintenance. Concluding the address, he identified the Nigerian youth as the country’s "priceless asset," calling for structured training pathways and the adoption of smart technologies to equip young marine engineers with globally competitive skills, thereby securing the sector's future and ensuring Nigeria’s status as a maritime leader.

Biography:

Dr. Sylvanus currently serves as the National Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA). 
With a strong background in marine engineering, he has focused his efforts on enhancing regulatory standards, promoting research and development, and industrializing Nigeria’s maritime sector for greater economic impact. 
Following his election in January 2025, Dr. Sylvanus laid out a vision for NIMENA to attain international recognition through the establishment of a dedicated journal-house for research dissemination and by engaging regulatory agencies to enforce engineering standards in the sector. 
He has emphasized that Nigeria’s maritime industry, if properly regulated and supported with research, could potentially generate over US$40 billion in revenue, and he has advocated for capacity-building of undergraduate engineers and young practitioners. 
Dr. Sylvanus holds a Ph.D. in marine/naval engineering and brings extensive experience in governmental and institutional leadership, technical committees, and multi-stakeholder engagement to drive infrastructure and safety improvements in marine and naval architecture.

Email:

Address:No.11 RSU Road, Opposite Chinda Estate, Port Harcourt., , Port Harcourt , Nigeria

Damilola of CTO trashcoin

Mr. Damilola explored how everyday environmental challenges in Nigeria can be transformed into powerful drivers of innovation, using the Trashcoin initiative as a real example of engineering, creativity, and problem solving. Damilola Daramola began by introducing the reality of Nigeria’s waste crisis, showing images of streets filled with unmanaged refuse and explaining that Nigeria produces over thirty two million tonnes of solid waste every year. He emphasized that every piece of waste carries economic value and data that can be used to build sustainable systems.

He provided a clear breakdown of the specific problems caused by poor waste management, including uncollected waste, illegal dumping, inadequate recycling systems, water and soil contamination, air pollution from burning waste, disease outbreaks, reduced quality of life, loss of valuable recyclable materials, increased municipal costs, job losses, environmental degradation, deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and the economic impact on tourism, agriculture, education, and public health. Rather than presenting these challenges as overwhelming, he encouraged participants to see them as opportunities for innovation.

Damilola then presented the Trashcoin solution, explaining how it functions as a digital waste management ecosystem that allows users to deposit recyclable waste through a mobile platform and receive financial rewards. He demonstrated how Trashcoin connects users, recyclers, and partner organizations using technology such as blockchain, fintech, gamification features, impact tracking tools, and data driven analytics. He highlighted their measurable achievements which include thousands of kilograms of recycled waste, more than seven hundred jobs created, over one thousand homes empowered, and more than ten thousand students sensitized across communities.

He also shared the origin story of Trashcoin, describing how the team started with conviction rather than capital, and how they developed a model that integrates technology with community engagement. Participants were guided through the platform interface, learning how users earn vouchers, track their environmental impact, and redeem incentives. He further demonstrated how trash can be repurposed into useful and creative products, reinforcing the idea that innovation begins with mindset and perspective.

The session concluded with key lessons that included the belief that every waste material has value, that meaningful innovation often comes from solving local problems, and that opportunities frequently hide inside the challenges many people overlook daily. Damilola challenged students to rethink their assumptions and view Nigeria not as a place defined by problems but as a landscape filled with possibilities waiting to be converted into sustainable businesses and real solutions. He closed with an interactive exercise that encouraged participants to turn a common societal problem into a practical business idea, emphasizing creativity over complaints and action over discouragement.

Biography:

Engr. Daramola is the Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Trashcoin, a digital platform that transforms waste into value by combining recycling incentives with blockchain technology. 
He holds a BSc (Information Technology) from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and has advanced expertise in full-stack development, decentralized applications (dApps), and sustainable tech innovation. 
At Trashcoin, Damilola helped build a scalable, secure blockchain infrastructure that connects informal waste systems to formal recycling networks. Under his technical leadership, the platform has processed thousands of tons of waste and enabled active users across Africa to earn by participating in circular economy initiatives. 

Email:

Address:No 5 Chief Pius Uchendu Street, behind Timeless Supermarket, Mgbuoba, Port Harcourt 500277, Rivers, , Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria