Lagos Partners Welbeck to Light Up Surulere with Solar Streetlights
The Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye. Photo: The Electricity Hub
The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with Welbeck Electricity Distribution Limited, has taken a bold step toward cleaner and safer urban living by installing 20 automated solar-powered streetlights in Surulere.
This initiative, which also included the donation of a modern traffic control booth and reflective vests to the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), aims to improve public safety, enhance night-time visibility, and encourage the adoption of renewable energy across the metropolis.
Private Sector Driving Change
According to Afolabi Aiyela, Managing Director and CEO of Welbeck Electricity Distribution Limited, the company invested ₦20 million in the Surulere lighting project as part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to sustainable energy development.
“This installation covers the entire underbridge area between the National Stadium and Teslim Balogun Stadium — an area that used to be poorly lit. Now, people can safely walk here even at midnight,” — Aiyela said.
Aiyela further explained that the partnership was made possible through the support of the Lagos State Government and the Surulere Constituency, emphasizing that new reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector have created an enabling environment for private energy investments.
He added that Welbeck, already serving major clients such as MTN and GAC Motors, plans to ensure that at least 20% of its energy production in the next five years comes from renewable sources like solar.
Government Commends Private Collaboration
Speaking on behalf of the state, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, praised Welbeck for supporting Lagos’ clean energy vision.
“Today’s event shows the power of collaboration. The inauguration of these automated solar streetlights and modern traffic booths reflects our administration’s priorities — safety, sustainability, and service delivery,” — Ogunleye stated.
He also revealed that the Sanwo-Olu administration is managing over 40,000 solar-powered streetlights across Lagos and is working to transition schools and hospitals to renewable power.
Ogunleye applauded Honourable Desmond Elliott for facilitating the project, calling it a model example of effective public-private partnership.
Community Impact and Public Benefits
Residents of Surulere expressed delight over the new solar-powered lights, noting that the area between the National Stadium and Teslim Balogun Stadium now feels safer and more vibrant at night.
The automated solar system is designed to reduce dependence on the national grid, lower maintenance costs, and provide a reliable, eco-friendly lighting solution that benefits both motorists and pedestrians.
This project not only promotes environmental responsibility but also demonstrates how joint efforts between the government and private sector can transform communities and contribute to Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
The partnership between Lagos State, Welbeck Electricity, and the Surulere Constituency serves as a shining example of how collaboration can create lasting impact. By investing in solar-powered infrastructure, Lagos continues to pave the way toward a greener, safer, and more sustainable city — one community at a time.
