FG’s solar plan: New openings for Niger State

 

For the people of Niger State, energy is shifting. From Minna to the border towns near Benin Republic, the conversation is no longer just about waiting for grid power. Under Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, and with the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy led by Honourable Commissioner Suleiman Umar and his team driving implementation, the state is positioned to plug directly into the Federal Government’s biggest renewable energy push, ones more.

That federal push was laid out by Dr Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), during a Webinar organised by the African Association of Energy Journalists and Publishers (AJERAP) on Wednesday in Lagos.

Nigeria has increased its domestic solar panel manufacturing capacity to 300 megawatts (MW) from 120 megawatts. 

Dr Abba Aliyu said the agency is targeting a total of 3.7 gigawatts (GW) in the pipeline, aiming to establish itself as the renewable energy hub for West Africa.

Aliyu said that Mozambique, Benin, and Niger — the country, distinct from Niger State — are among nations adopting REA’s power access model.

He noted that the growth is driven by deliberate government policies under President Bola Tinubu aimed at creating an enabling environment for private sector investment.

“We have moved from about 120 megawatts of local manufacturing capacity to roughly 300 megawatts today, with 3.7GW in the pipeline. This is based on a deliberate strategy to build investor confidence and attract private capital into the sector,” he said.

He added that Nigeria recorded about 425 million dollars in investments in 2025 for the establishment of eight renewable energy manufacturing facilities.

According to him, locally manufactured solar panels are now being exported from Lagos to Accra, Ghana, signalling Nigeria’s emergence as a regional manufacturing hub.

“For the first time, Nigeria is producing solar panels locally, and they are already being exported. This shows the direction we are heading and the leadership role Nigeria can play in West Africa,” Aliyu said.

The REA MD emphasised that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s 2026 Mini-Grid Regulations, which increase the allowable capacity for interconnected mini-grids to 10MW, have significantly boosted investor confidence and rank among the most effective regulatory frameworks in Africa.

He noted that recent policy changes have increased allowable mini-grid capacity from 1MW to 5MW, and up to 10MW for interconnected systems—opening the door for larger-scale renewable projects.

According to him, the regulats clearly define how mini-grids interact with the main grid, simplify licensing, and streamline environmental and social impact assessments.

Aliyu further noted that the expansion in mini-grid capacity could enable cross-border electricity trade, especially in border communities.

“If we deploy large solar farms in border towns, we can sell electricity across countries and deepen regional integration,” he said.

Highlighting the role of the West African Power Pool in integrating on-grid systems across the sub-region, Aliyu called for the development of a complementary off-grid electricity market to drive broader energy access across Africa.

“We may not need to fully integrate national grids immediately, but we can build an integrated off-grid market across border communities,” he added.

According to Aliyu, Nigeria’s electricity access model is increasingly being adopted across Africa, with several countries seeking to replicate its approach.

“Countries like Mozambique, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Mauritania, and Mauritius are engaging with us to understand our framework,” he said. Niger here refers to the country, not Niger State.

He emphasised that regional electricity access initiatives will be critical for improving energy security and expanding access across the continent.

Aliyu described Nigeria’s Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) programme as the largest publicly funded renewable energy access initiative globally.

The programme aims to provide electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians by connecting over 2.5 million households and deploying 1,350 mini-grids, including 250 interconnected systems.

“The project is designed around the private sector using a results-based financing model. Developers must mobilise their own capital before accessing incentives,” he said.

He added that the $750 million funding is expected to catalyse an additional 1.1 billion dollars in private sector investment.

“We are already seeing strong traction. Financial institutions and development partners are committing funds, demonstrating confidence in the model,” Aliyu noted.

He cited financing partnerships involving institutions such as Citibank Nigeria, Lotus Bank, and the International Finance Corporation, alongside support from development finance and impact investment organisations.

“The structure of this programme has unlocked significant private financing and is setting a benchmark for renewable energy deployment across the region,” he said.

What This Means for the People of Niger State

1. Federal Manufacturing Growth Meets Niger State’s Investor Pitch  

The Federal Government moved manufacturing from 120MW to 300MW, with 3.7GW in the pipeline and $425 million invested in 2025 for eight renewable energy manufacturing facilities. Under President Bola Tinubu’s policies to attract private capital, this creates a national factory drive. For Nigerlites, it means the government of Farmer Governor Umaru Bago, through Honourable Suleiman Umar and his team, can engage manufacturers looking for new sites as the country scales to 3.7GW.

2. 10MW Mini-Grid Rules Back Larger Projects for Niger Communities  

NERC’s 2026 Mini-Grid Regulations now allow 10MW for interconnected mini-grids, up from 1MW to 5MW, and up to 10MW for interconnected systems. The rules clearly define how mini-grids interact with the main grid, simplify licensing, and streamline environmental and social impact assessments. For communities in Niger State, this federal framework gives Honourable Suleiman Umar and his team the legal room to build bigger systems that serve more households and businesses.

3. Border Power Trade: Niger State’s Link to Benin Republic  

Dr. Aliyu said mini-grid expansion could enable cross-border electricity trade, especially in border communities: “If we deploy large solar farms in border towns, we can sell electricity across countries and deepen regional integration.” Niger State shares a border with Benin Republic, which Aliyu listed as adopting REA’s model and engaging on Nigeria’s framework. With the West African Power Pool and the call for a complementary off-grid electricity market across border communities, the government of Farmer Governor Umaru Bago has a federal pathway to turn border towns into power-export points for Niger State.

4. DARES Brings $1.85 Billion Funding Channel to Niger State  

The DARES programme targets 17.5 million Nigerians, over 2.5 million households, and 1,350 mini-grids, including 250 interconnected systems. Its $750 million funding is expected to catalyse an additional 1.1 billion dollars in private investment, with Citibank Nigeria, Lotus Bank, and the International Finance Corporation already involved. The results-based model means Honourable Suleiman Umar and his team can channel federal and private funds into projects for Nigerlites. As Aliyu put it: “We are already seeing strong traction. Financial institutions and development partners are committing funds, demonstrating confidence in the model.”

5. Nigeria Now Exports Panels: The Regional Hub Goal  

With locally manufactured solar panels now being exported from Lagos to Accra, Ghana, Aliyu said: “For the first time, Nigeria is producing solar panels locally, and they are already being exported. This shows the direction we are heading and the leadership role Nigeria can play in West Africa.” For the people of Niger State, this federal achievement sets the precedent. As Nigeria moves from 300MW toward 3.7GW, the government of Farmer Governor Umaru Bago, with Honourable Suleiman Umar and his team coordinating, is positioned to make Niger State part of the manufacturing and export story  that now defines Nigeria’s renewable energy leadership in West Africa.

A.B Makama 

Media Strategist To Honorable Commissioner Power and Renewable