Nigerian music star Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, on Friday, endorsed a new solar financing initiative launched by Kairos Hof Energy in collaboration with the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDITCORP) and Fidelity Bank, aimed at closing Nigeria’s energy access gap.
The initiative was launched at a press conference in Abuja under the theme “Powering Nigeria, Financing the Future.” The event gathered key stakeholders from the finance, energy, and creative sectors, including CREDITCORP, Fidelity Bank, entertainment icon D’banj, and comedian Samuel Animashaun Perry, popularly known as Broda Shaggi.
Speaking at the lunch, the Executive Officer of Kairos Hof Energy, Mr. Ojehomon Anetor, described the initiative as a “transformative step” towards providing equitable access to energy, particularly through affordable solar power.
Anetor emphasised that the program is not just about infrastructure, but about empowering everyday Nigerians through innovative financing.
He said: “It’s the unveiling of a transformative solution that’s bringing energy access to people’s homes. We are set up by the federal government of Nigeria, in particular, with the idea that access to credit should be something that is a lived experience of every Nigerian, so that you don’t have to save over long periods to acquire things that give you a better life.
“So things like solar panels, which are a major part of our mandate, are giving people access to energy. We also have a mandate for mobility and digital devices, but today we are specifically discussing energy.
“And the goal that we have is one thing, which is that credit must meet Nigerians’ needs. And today, that credit must meet Nigerians and enable them to overcome what we call energy poverty.”
In his remarks, D’banj commended Kairos Hof’s vision of building fully off-grid communities, especially for Nigeria’s vibrant creative sector, with a special nod to the planned African Entertainment Village in Ido.
He said, “If we can empower at least one million youths with renewable energy, we can solve so many challenges. In the creative industry, we move on with visible hope. But how can you chase your dream when you can’t even see where you’re going?
“This is a game-changer. I’ve told the team I want one million people to benefit from this within the first year. The youth are ready. We’ve never had a platform like this, and yet we’ve managed to become Nigeria’s biggest export after crude oil; we can do even more with the right support.”
CREDITCORP CEO, Mr. Uzoma Nwagba, reaffirmed the agency’s mission to make credit “a lived reality” for Nigerians in essential sectors like energy.
He said, “Access to solar power is central to our work. Our CALM Fund exists to eliminate the frustration of ObNepa and empower Nigerians to study, work, and thrive with steady electricity.
“Our model is simple: CREDITCORP funds Fidelity Bank, Fidelity profiles and approves beneficiaries, and Kairos Hof delivers the energy. It’s a seamless credit model designed to improve lives.”
Nwagba noted that CREDITCORP, established under the Federal Government of Nigeria, is already working with 25 financial institutions and has impacted over 100,000 Nigerians through digital devices, mobility, home improvement, and now energy access.
Also speaking at the event, Fidelity Bank representative, Mr. Godwin Dajoh, expressed the bank’s enthusiasm to serve as the credit intermediary in the program.
“For us at Fidelity, our job is to receive the funds from CREDITCORP and disburse them to end-users. The interest rates are significantly lower than market levels, making them affordable and healthy for clean energy access.
“We urge Nigerians to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. Fidelity remains committed to working with all partners to ensure this vision becomes a widespread reality,” he said.
