Ifeanyi Chukwunonso, the Director-General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has advocated for the adoption of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for appliances in the country. This move is part of a broader initiative to address climate change, reduce mercury in lighting appliances, and enhance energy access in Nigeria.
Speaking at a workshop on MEPS held on the 20th of December 2023 in Abuja, the Director-General stressed the importance of setting energy efficiency standards to mitigate the effects of climate change and promote sustainable practices. The workshop, organized in collaboration with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV Nigeria), aimed to create awareness about MEPS and labeling for lighting in Nigeria.
Represented by Mr. Adewunmi Richard, the Director of Lab Services at SON, Chukwunonso highlighted Nigeria’s energy challenges, citing World Bank reports indicating that only 54.3 percent of the population had access to electricity in 2021. He emphasized the global threat of ozone layer depletion and global warming, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels and contributing to significant emissions.
“The urgent need for a global concerted effort to minimize the catastrophic effect of climate change and stop continual depletion cannot be overemphasized,” he stated.
Chukwunonso urged stakeholders to collaborate in implementing MEPS, which establishes minimum energy efficiency levels for appliances sold in the market. He emphasized that MEPS would contribute to reducing energy consumption, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering a sustainable future.
The SON Director-General outlined the diverse range of products covered by MEPS, including refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, vehicles, and building materials. By removing inefficient products from the market, MEPS aims to encourage consumers to make environmentally friendly choices while saving money on energy bills.
In his welcome address, Professor Babajide Alo, the Chairperson of the workshop, emphasized the importance of MEPS in ensuring that lighting products meet specific energy efficiency criteria. He underscored the workshop’s significance in enforcing regulatory standards set by SON.
Dr. Leslie Adogame, the Executive Director of SRADeV Nigeria, clarified that MEPS is designed to ensure energy products meet minimum standards of energy consumption in line with the Minamata Convention, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
