Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has hailed off-grid refrigeration as a game-changing solution for food security, healthcare, and local economic growth.
Speaking at the inception workshop for the off-grid refrigeration guidelines pilot implementation programme in Abuja on Thursday, Maiha said the initiative would lay the foundation for transforming communities while advancing the country’s energy and climate goals.
The project, which aims to promote the widespread use of energy-efficient off-grid refrigeration in Nigeria’s rural and underserved areas, is implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and funded by the United Kingdom Government.
The Minister stressed that refrigeration offers immense opportunities across sectors. According to him, from preserving milk, meat, fruits, and vegetables for farmers, to storing vaccines in rural clinics, to powering small businesses like food vendors and local shops, refrigeration “supports livelihoods and stimulates local economies.”
“A substantial portion of Nigerians still lack reliable electricity supply, but mini-grids are already proving their worth,” he said, commending the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for expanding decentralised energy systems nationwide. “Every kilowatt hour matters, and efficient appliances, including refrigeration, lower costs for operators while ensuring the long-term sustainability of these systems.”
Maiha noted that the pilot programme would also help identify communities with the highest potential for adopting off-grid refrigeration solutions, making it easier for private sector partners to target their efforts. He added that end users would be engaged to raise awareness of the benefits of sustainable cooling technologies, while feedback from communities would guide improvements in product design and delivery.
The Minister explained that the lessons learned from this initiative would serve as a blueprint for scaling up similar projects across the country, adding that the long-term adoption of efficient refrigeration would create stronger agricultural value chains, reduce food waste, and improve the resilience of rural healthcare facilities.
Maiha called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, private investors, civil society, and international partners to ensure the success of the programme. “By working together, we can unlock the full potential of decentralized energy systems, improve living standards in rural communities, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s national development goals,” he said.
In his remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REA, Abba Aliyu, said the programme would not only provide off-grid refrigeration guidelines but also directly support Nigeria’s food security drive. The initiative, he added, would help reduce post-harvest losses, enhance the preservation of agricultural goods, and strengthen healthcare delivery by improving the storage of drugs, vaccines, and other medical supplies.
Aliyu stressed that livestock development would also benefit significantly, noting that proper cold storage for beef and other animal products would unlock additional economic value for farmers and processors. The MD added that refrigeration would support sustainable livelihoods by creating jobs, boosting income opportunities, and improving the dignity of rural communities.
He further explained that the programme would ease logistics and transport challenges, especially for temperature-sensitive products. “Without maintaining some level of cooling, we cannot move certain products efficiently from one place to another. This pilot programme will provide the foundation to address such barriers,” he said.
Aliyu assured stakeholders of REA’s commitment to fully implementing the pilot and scaling it up in the future while expressing confidence that the Federal Government would provide counterpart funding to expand its impact.
“We will continue to involve all relevant stakeholders so that we expand the reach of this initiative. I personally will be involved in the implementation, and I assure you this programme will be delivered to the letter,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Victor Minguez of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) applauded the Nigerian government for taking a proactive step towards integrating sustainable cooling solutions into its rural electrification strategy. He emphasized that Nigeria’s leadership in piloting off-grid refrigeration could serve as a model for other developing countries facing similar energy and food security challenges.
Minguez further noted that refrigeration is one of the largest energy-consuming services in households and businesses, and ensuring efficiency is key to balancing access with sustainability.
“The guidelines being developed here will not only provide technical direction but also shape policy frameworks that encourage private sector participation, innovation, and inclusive financing models,” he said.
