The Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF) and the National Centre for Hydropower Research and Development (NACHRED) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost hydropower development across Nigeria.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, the Director of Geodesy at OSGOF, Surv. Duniya Magaji, who represented the Surveyor General of the Federation, Surv. Abduganiyu Adeyemi Adebomehin, described the partnership as a long-awaited step towards addressing challenges in the sector.
“At this very important meeting of signing of MoU, the fact is that it is something we have been looking forward to. Most of the offices that have problems is due to lack of synergy and collaboration. Therefore, I am sure with what we are trying to do today, we believe it is going to go well for both of us. We have gone through the document and we can all agree on it,” Magaji said.
The agreement, initiated after a successful presentation at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), is aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two institutions. Under the MoU, OSGOF will provide geospatial data and services to support hydropower development nationwide, while NACHRED will contribute its expertise in research and technical innovation.
Director of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing/Mapping at OSGOF, Surv. Azeez Afeez, commended UNIDO’s recognition of the need for small hydropower projects to complement larger facilities such as Kainji and Shiroro dams. He stressed the importance of mapping and survey data for the successful implementation of such projects.
Deputy Director of NACHRED, Dr. Toyin Olugbemi, who signed the MoU on behalf of her agency, noted that collaboration with OSGOF was critical to the centre’s mission. “When we work together we achieve better because no man is an island,” she said.
Also speaking, Engr. Dr. Ladokun Laniyi, Chief Research Officer at NACHRED, emphasised that access to accurate topographical data would bridge critical gaps in hydropower development feasibility studies.
The partnership is expected to accelerate efforts toward expanding renewable energy generation and promoting socio-economic development across Nigeria.
