Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has praised Cross River State Government for its strategic planning in the energy sector, highlighting the state’s vast hydro and renewable energy potential as a driver for economic growth.
The Vice President, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Legal, Research, and Compliance Matters, Alhaji Bashir Maidugu, made the remarks while officially declaring the Energy Cross River Conference and Exhibition 2026 open in Calabar on Monday.
He noted that the state, with its coastal advantage, gas reserves, hydro resources, solar profile, and industrial ambitions including a deep-sea port and special economic zone initiatives, is well positioned to emerge as a major energy hub in Nigeria and West Africa.
Shettima assured that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate with the state through public and private partnerships to implement the conference’s resolutions. Describing energy as the lifeblood of modern economies, he reiterated the government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reforms in the petroleum and power sectors to build a diversified and investor-friendly energy ecosystem.
Earlier, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to energy security and sustainable economic growth. He described the conference as a strategic platform to bridge the gap between energy ambitions and practical implementation, emphasizing that energy infrastructure remains central to inclusive development in the state.
Dr. Odey highlighted key achievements, including the distribution of 10,000 solar home systems to rural communities, with another 10,000 scheduled for rollout this year. He also noted the rehabilitation of substations and the replacement of faulty transformers across the state. Speaking on the conference theme, “Unlocking Cross River Energy Using Sustainable Finance,” he stressed the need to leverage mechanisms such as Green Bonds, ESG investing, and blended finance to unlock the state’s full energy potential. He further assured investors of a friendly business environment, including streamlined regulations, tax incentives, and ease of land acquisition.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Power, Hon. Eka Williams, highlighted the state’s vast energy resources, including abundant sunlight, strong winds, flowing rivers, and solid minerals. He noted that the main challenge is not resource scarcity, but the need for strategic and sustainable funding. Williams urged stakeholders to adopt innovative financing and sound management practices to reduce investment risks while attracting local and international partners. He assured participants of the government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment that fosters efficiency, accountability, and investor confidence.
The conference also featured several paper presentations, including one by Mr. Nzan Ogbe on Raising Sustainable Energy Finance in Nigeria: Prospects and Perspectives, in which he stressed that energy reform is not merely a sectoral adjustment but a foundation for industrial growth, macroeconomic stability, and competitiveness.
Deputy Governor’s Press Unit, Government House, Calabar
March 3, 2026
