High Energy Costs : Agripreneur Calls For Shift To Briquette Power

A Nigerian agripreneur, Olusegun Alabi, has called on the federal government to scale up the use of briquette-based renewable energy, arguing that it offers a cheaper and more sustainable solution to the country’s persistent power shortages.

Speaking to members of the House of Representatives Press Corps in Abuja, Mr Alabi, founder of Davidolar Farms, said briquettes made from waste materials could deliver electricity, gas and industrial power at far lower costs than diesel or grid supply.

He said his
organisation plans to run its new pineapple processing facility entirely on briquette-powered machinery, adding that the technology had already been tested and proven through research.

“Briquette energy can effectively replace conventional electricity. This is not a theory it is a proven system,” he said. “Once the factory begins operations, Nigerians will see that our power challenges can be addressed through local innovation.”

Mr Alabi urged journalists and industry stakeholders to visit the National Power Technology of Nigeria, which he described as a key institution conducting research capable of reshaping Nigeria’s power sector.

He warned that rising energy costs were forcing many businesses to shut down, despite the availability of a cheaper alternative.

He also linked poor energy access to low agricultural output, noting that farmers especially pineapple producers struggle with processing and storage due to unreliable power.

According to him, broader adoption of briquette energy could save Nigeria billions of naira each year, strengthen agro-processing, create jobs and improve competitiveness in the agricultural sector.

Mr Alabi called for greater support for local innovation, saying Nigeria already has the resources needed to solve many of its economic challenges.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji