Scheduled to hold from May 18 to May 20, 2026, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, the three-day summit is being convened by the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. The event marks a strategic pivot from regulatory groundwork to the execution of bankable energy projects, following the implementation of the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024.
From Reform to Execution
The new electricity law provides a framework for subnational electricity governance, empowering Lagos State to regulate and attract investments into its power sector. With the theme, “Lagos Energy Evolution: Transforming the Future,” the summit aims to translate policy into measurable outcomes across generation, transmission and distribution.
The event will convene policymakers, regulators, financiers, developers and technology innovators to tackle pressing challenges such as grid constraints, energy poverty and heavy reliance on fossil fuels. Key discussions will centre on scaling renewable energy solutions, expanding decentralised generation, strengthening distribution infrastructure and supporting Lagos’ ambition to become a 24-hour economy.
The summit will be hosted under the leadership of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, with Kadri Obafemi Hamzat serving as co-host. Coordination of the event is being led by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, alongside key stakeholders in the sector.
According to Ogunleye, the summit will not only assess progress made since the enactment of the electricity law but also catalyse partnerships capable of delivering tangible improvements in power supply.
Investment and Measurable Outcomes
Participants will engage in plenary sessions, technical masterclasses, investment roundtables, exhibitions and curated business-to-business matchmaking sessions. Organisers expect the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), the development of public-private partnership frameworks and commitments to pipeline projects. Technical site visits to major energy infrastructure projects within Lagos are also planned.
With over 4,000 participants expected onsite and virtually, and anticipated regional and international media coverage, the summit is projected to serve as a catalyst for long-term investment inflows into Lagos’ energy ecosystem.
Addressing a Longstanding Energy Challenge
Lagos has historically grappled with persistent electricity shortages, frequent blackouts and widespread reliance on diesel and other fossil fuels. These constraints have imposed significant costs on households and businesses, undermining productivity and environmental sustainability.
One of the earliest bold attempts to address the crisis was the Enron-backed Independent Power Project initiated on December 6, 1999, during the administration of then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tinubu, now President of Nigeria, later signed into law the Electricity Bill that empowers states with regulatory oversight of electricity within their jurisdictions.
Over time, the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has evolved into the apex institution driving the state’s “Energy for All” vision—anchored on transforming Lagos into a 24-hour economy and a preferred destination for investment, entertainment and commerce.
As Lagos Energy Summit 2026 approaches, stakeholders view it as more than a policy dialogue. It is being framed as a decisive step toward delivering sustainable, reliable and inclusive power supply—an essential pillar in shaping the state’s economic future.