The 2025 Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) Stakeholders workshop, held in GRA, Lagos on April 24, was a thought-provoking event that highlighted the organisations commitment to consumer rights, digital innovation, and sustainable development.
According to Prof. Chisom Ndukwe-Okafor, CADEF’s Executive Director, the organization believes that empowering consumers with access to information and a supportive ecosystem is fundamental to building a just and inclusive society. CADEF’s work spans advocacy, energy solutions, finance, artificial intelligence (AI), technology, and youth empowerment.
Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor cited some of the organization’s impactful programmes, including the Green Labs Innovation and Incubator Programme, introduced in Nigeria through a partnership with Jacobs Ladder Africa. This nine-month incubation program supports young entrepreneurs, particularly in the renewable energy sector.
CADEF Champions Inclusive Innovation and Energy Transition at Lagos Workshop
The program, which began in Lagos, challenges young innovators to propose solutions that leverage renewable energy technologies to combat climate change and improve energy access. Successful candidates receive mentorship from experienced professionals and academics, as well as opportunities to secure funding for their startups.
Another vital project is the Digital Finance Initiative for Persons with Disabilities, aimed at empowering the disabled. Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor also mentioned that CADEF has been invited to mentor organizations in Chile, Colombia, and Thailand in developing their own one-stop shops.
She emphasized the need for energy transition, citing that the average Nigerian household experiences approximately 6.7 power outages per week, each lasting about 12 hours. This has resulted in a heavy reliance on generators, which now account for about 40% of electricity consumption. She urged vendors to offer reliable, not substandard, parts to consumers and encouraged consumers to explore and demand better power alternatives in renewable energy.
In his keynote address on the theme “OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TRANSITION” Engr. Kamaldeen Abiodun Temitayo Balogun, General Manager/CEO of the Lagos State Electrification Agency (LSEA), corroborated Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor’s views.
He stated that system operators would be put in place to ensure that every service provider is paid and affirmed that the Lagos State Government is working to bridge the gap between island and mainland in terms of electricity supply by exploring off-grid solutions.
The workshop featured an insightful panel session moderated by Mr. Olumide Ajayi, a Climate Ambassador for Jacobs Ladder Africa. Notable panelists included Dr. Segun Adaju, CEO of Consistent Energy, who declared that the success of a decentralized energy framework is a success for all.
He emphasized that in a state like Lagos with a large population, renewable energy is essential and achievable with the right laws, planning, and delivery.
The event was well-attended by regulators, members of the press, and stakeholders in tech and renewable energy companies, highlighting the growing interest in sustainable development and consumer empowerment.
Take Action: Join the conversation on sustainable energy and consumer empowerment. Stay informed, support local innovators, and demand cleaner, more reliable energy solutions. Follow CADEF’s work and be part of the change Nigeria needs. Visit LouisaOlaniyi.com.ng for more inspiring stories and updates.
