MorGanable Politics/Government/Government/Policy
The Managing Director of the REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the project aligns with the agency’s mandate to expand electricity access using sustainable and renewable energy sources
KaNo —
The Rural Electrification Agency has commenced the construction of 42 renewable energy projects across Adamawa State and Kebbi State.
The development is a move aimed at expanding electricity access, boosting economic activities and improving power supply in underserved communities.
The projects, being implemented in collaboration with federal and state governments, include 39 mini-grid systems in Adamawa and a 3.5-megawatt solar power project in Kebbi under the Federal Government’s rural electrification programme.
In Adamawa, the Federal Government flagged off the construction of the mini-grids under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up Programme, a key initiative designed to bridge the electricity gap in rural and semi-urban areas.
The projects comprise three interconnected mini-grids and 36 isolated mini-grids strategically located across the state.
Collectively, the mini-grid systems are expected to add nearly 27 megawatts of renewable electricity to communities across Adamawa.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, the Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, described the projects as a major milestone in the country’s quest to achieve energy inclusion and sustainability.
According to Tegbe, the initiative is expected to provide reliable electricity to about 40,000 households and businesses across communities including Kofare, Saminaka, Mbamba, Gulak, Michika, Shuwa, Bazza, Belel, Ganye, Song, Hong, Mubi and Guyuk.
The minister further disclosed that more than 100 public institutions, including schools, healthcare centres and water facilities, would also be connected to the mini-grids, thereby improving service delivery in critical sectors.
“Behind every connection is more than a meter. It is a family whose quality of life will improve, a child whose education will be enhanced, an entrepreneur whose business will expand, and a community whose future will become brighter,” Tegbe said.
He explained that the mini-grids were designed to complement the national grid, particularly in communities with limited or no access to electricity, while also encouraging private sector participation in renewable energy investments.
Tegbe commended the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for supporting the implementation of the projects through the provision of land and other incentives.
“This is not just a foundation laying; it is the announcement of our collective resolve to launch a strategic onslaught against energy poverty and to deliberately harness nature’s bounties through alternative energy sources,” the governor said.
He noted that the project would not only improve electricity supply but also stimulate economic growth by enabling businesses to thrive and attracting investments into the state.
Fintiri recalled that discussions leading to the investment began in 2025 during a roundtable convened by the REA in Abuja, where the state government offered incentives such as credit guarantees, concessional financing and free land to facilitate the projects.
“Today, this again is a testament that our word has always been our bond. We have moved the discussion beyond the boardroom to reality,” he said.
The governor also commended Mahashakti Nigeria Limited and the Yola Electricity Distribution Company for their roles in driving the project forward, expressing optimism that the initiative would transform the state’s agricultural and transportation sectors through clean energy solutions.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the project aligns with the agency’s mandate to expand electricity access using sustainable and renewable energy sources.
“We are gathered here not merely to break ground for infrastructure; we are here to switch on a new future for the people of Adamawa State,” Aliyu said.
He added that the long-term success of the initiative would be measured not only by the megawatts generated but also by the socio-economic transformation it would bring, including job creation, business development, improved healthcare services and enhanced education.
Meanwhile, in Kebbi State, Governor Nasir Idris flagged off the construction of a 3.5-megawatt solar power project alongside the Lot 7 Design, Supply and Installation of a 33kV power infrastructure project in Ambursa.
Idris said the project would significantly improve electricity supply across the state and support socio-economic development.
He noted that the solar installation would be equipped with battery storage systems to ensure power availability even after sunset.
The governor disclosed that the state government provided the project site free of charge to the contractor, Kelm Elicon Joint Venture, and urged the company to ensure timely completion.
Providing further details, Aliyu revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved a $750 million facility for the REA to implement interconnected mini-grid projects across the country.
According to him, approximately $10 million would be invested in the Kebbi project, which is expected to provide electricity to more than 1,000 households as well as strategic facilities, including the Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi.
He said the investment would enhance power reliability, support businesses and strengthen economic development in the state.
The Chief Executive Officer of Kobeissi Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Ltd., Ali Kobeissi, assured stakeholders that the project would be completed within eight months and called on host communities to cooperate with workers during implementation.
In a related development, Aliyu emphasised the growing importance of mini-grids in Nigeria’s power sector, noting that they have evolved beyond rural electrification tools to become viable commercial models capable of attracting significant private sector investment.
Speaking at the inaugural Samuel Ibiyemi Memorial Lecture in Lagos, he argued that decentralised energy solutions hold the key to transforming Nigeria’s electricity landscape.
Aliyu stressed the need to redirect public resources from subsidising inefficiencies in the power sector towards initiatives that catalyse private investment and drive sustainable growth.
The commencement of the projects in Adamawa and Kebbi marks a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to close its electricity access gap, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Stakeholders say the successful implementation of the initiative could serve as a model for expanding renewable energy deployment across the country while fostering inclusive economic development.
