The government says renewable energy is now central to Nigeria’s power strategy as new solar mini-grids energize homes, businesses, schools, and farms, with the promise of improved national electricity supply before year-end.
The Federal Government has completed 23 solar-powered mini-grid projects that are now delivering electricity to about 50,000 Nigerians in a major push to expand energy access to underserved communities and stimulate rural economic growth.
The projects, unveiled on Thursday in Abuja during the official launch of the pilot phase of the Africa Mini-Grids Programme (AMP), are expected to provide reliable electricity to more than 20,000 households while powering businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and agricultural processing centers across rural Nigeria.
The program, themed “Powering Agricultural Value Chains and Stimulating State Energy Markets,” is being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, described the commissioning as far more than an infrastructure project, saying it represents a transformation in the lives of thousands of Nigerians.
According to him, the impact extends beyond electricity supply to economic empowerment, improved healthcare, education and enhanced livelihoods.
“Today’s event transcends commissioning infrastructure. We are not just talking about 23 mini-grids. We are talking about 50,000 people, over 20,000 households, and thousands of businesses whose lives will be changed.
“I have attended several mini-grid inaugurations and have seen the excitement in our people. Communities take ownership because they understand the value these projects bring. Traditional rulers and youths rise to protect these facilities because they know they belong to them,” he said.
Renewable energy now part of Nigeria’s power architecture
Tegbe stressed that renewable energy should no longer be viewed merely as an alternative source of electricity or a substitute for diesel generators.
Rather, he said, solar, hydro, and wind energy have become integral components of Nigeria’s electricity generation mix and critical to achieving long-term energy security.
“For the avoidance of doubt, renewable energy, especially solar, is not an alternative source of power. It is not simply a generator replacement strategy. It is an integral part of our national power architecture.
READ ALSO:
- TCN Restores Power Supply After Flooding Triggered Outage in Parts of Lagos
- Trillions Budgets, Millions in Darkness: Why Nigeria’s Power Interventions are Failing to End Blackout
- FG Sets Rules for New Tax Framework
- FG Settles Over ₦700bn Debt to 1,240 Local Contractors
“When we talk about hydro, solar, and wind, these are legitimate sources of electricity generation. Today, for the first time in Nigeria, we have a solar farm producing 200 megawatts of electricity.”
He noted that countries such as Kenya, Morocco, and Egypt have significantly expanded renewable energy generation and expressed confidence that Nigeria is on the same trajectory.
Closing Nigeria’s electricity access gap
The minister explained that the federal government is increasingly deploying mini-grid technology to bridge the “last mile” in electricity access, especially in remote communities beyond the reach of the national transmission network.
“We are creating that last mile through mini-grids, reaching communities where transmission lines and transformers have not arrived. We are serving businesses, healthcare facilities, schools, and households, and we will continue to do so.”
Tegbe also assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to resolving the country’s long-standing electricity challenges.
“Before the end of this year, Nigerians will see peaceful improvement in electricity delivery. What was badly managed for over 50 years cannot be fixed in six months.
“We are fixing the infrastructure. We are strengthening the national grid while simultaneously building off-grid solutions. Where necessary, we evacuate power to the grid, and where it is not feasible, we deploy captive power systems. The objective is simple—provide electricity to Nigerians.”
The minister commended the collaboration between the Rural Electrification Agency, UNDP, and the Global Environment Facility, saying the partnership has strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s renewable energy ambitions.
He added that Nigeria’s experience in deploying mini-grids could eventually become a model for other African countries.
“The rest of Africa will come and learn from what we have done right in Nigeria. We are putting in place the right policies, regulatory frameworks, and grid codes to ensure sustainability.”
Electricity now the foundation of economic growth
Earlier, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said electricity should no longer be regarded merely as a social service but as the backbone of modern economies.
According to him, sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, manufacturing, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence all depend on reliable electricity.
“Electricity is the fiber of modern society. It enables healthcare, education, agriculture, and industrialization.
“When you ask an artificial intelligence system a question and receive an answer in seconds, many people do not realize that electricity powers that process. Electricity is here to stay, and it will define the future.”
Aliyu warned that Nigeria risks missing significant economic opportunities if it fails to accelerate access to reliable electricity.
The REA boss explained that the Africa Mini-Grids Programme was deliberately designed to link electricity access with productive economic activities, particularly agriculture and agro-processing.
He said studies conducted under the agency’s Energizing Agriculture Programme identified several communities where inadequate electricity had prevented farmers and processors from unlocking billions of naira in economic value.
Unlike conventional electrification projects focused primarily on households, he said the new program targets agricultural production and processing clusters to stimulate local economies.
Plateau community records over 50% reduction in production costs
Aliyu cited the Namu community in Plateau State as a successful example of how renewable energy is already transforming rural industries.
According to him, before the mini-grid installation, over 30 rice processing factories, many owned by women, depended on expensive diesel generators, forcing many businesses to shut down.
“After the mini-grid was deployed, the largest processing factory switched from diesel to solar electricity. Production costs dropped by more than 50 percent, making locally produced rice competitive once again.”
He said the project demonstrates the direct relationship between reliable electricity, increased productivity, and rural economic development.
Aliyu disclosed that all 23 projects were completed within one year after receiving approval.
He revealed that the Rural Electrification Agency signed award letters in October last year, while about 73 per cent of project implementation had already been achieved by January.
“As I speak today, the projects are 100 percent complete. All the mini-grids are connected either to agricultural production or agricultural processing centers. This clearly demonstrates the nexus between electricity access and economic development.”
He thanked the UNDP and the Global Environment Facility for their confidence in the agency.
“That trust means a great deal to us.”
UNDP: Energy should drive jobs, businesses and inclusive growth
Also speaking, the resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, said the initiative reflects a broader shift in thinking about energy development.
“For too long, energy has been discussed primarily as an infrastructure challenge. Today reminds us that energy is also economic infrastructure.
“It powers farms and factories, schools and hospitals, small businesses and digital enterprises. It creates the conditions for productivity, investment, employment, and inclusive growth.”
She said the 23 pilot projects have already demonstrated how renewable energy can move communities beyond basic electricity access toward sustainable economic opportunities.
According to her, reliable electricity enables farmers to preserve produce through cold storage, helps agro-processors increase production while reducing operating costs, and creates opportunities for young entrepreneurs whose businesses depend on stable electricity rather than costly diesel generators.
“For UNDP, success is not measured by the number of mini-grids installed. Success is measured by the businesses powered, livelihoods strengthened, jobs created, and opportunities unlocked.”
Attafuah further noted that Nigeria’s ongoing electricity sector reforms have created unprecedented opportunities for states to develop decentralized renewable energy systems tailored to their local needs.
The Africa Mini-Grids Programme is a continent-wide initiative operating in 21 African countries to accelerate access to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by UNDP in partnership with national institutions such as Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency, the program seeks to attract greater investment in solar battery mini-grid systems.
Nigeria is widely regarded as the flagship country under the initiative due to its rapidly expanding mini-grid market.
Organizers also announced that the program is transitioning into a second phase, the Africa Electrification Platform, which will focus on integrating electricity with agriculture, healthcare, education, digital services, and green industries to create jobs, strengthen local economies, and drive sustainable development across Africa.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.