A professor of process systems engineering, Funmilayo Osuolale, yesterday, called on the government at all levels to become intentional about the diversification of the energy mix to tackle power challenges and engender sustainable development in the country.

She also tasked the government to enact supportive policies, and regulatory frameworks that could incentivise investments in energy infrastructure and promotion of technology to fit Nigeria’s local needs.

Osuolale made the call at the 61st inaugural lecture themed, “Universal energy access for sustainable development: mirage or reality,” which she presented at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. She expressed concern that Nigeria loses about two per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to energy inefficiency, adding that with diversification, including exploitation of abundant renewable energy sources, gasification of biomass for energy generation and other alternatives, the menace of energy inefficiency can be tackled in the country.

She argued that the solution to Nigeria’s energy problem is not just one source, stressing that to realise the nation’s vision of universal energy access, the country must adopt a multi-faceted approach to tackling the crisis which has held back development across the board.

According to her, energy efficiency is about doing more with less, and critical because it can lead to significant cost savings, reduce environmental impact and enhance energy security.

She warned that the country can’t keep relying on fossil fuels in the era of electricity tariffs, exorbitant cost of fossil fuel products and incessant national electricity grid collapses. She rather tasked leaders to explore abundant biomass in the country for conversion into electricity energy.