Light up Power State

Under the leadership of Farmer Governor Umaru Bago, Niger State is pursuing a clear and deliberate vision for energy: reliable, sustainable, and owned by the people it serves. At the center of that effort is the Honorable Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Suleiman Umar, whose approach to leadership has set a different tone for the sector. Hon. Suleiman Umar leads with calmness, clarity, and respect for the people of Niger State. His focus is not on quick promises, but on practical steps that will endure. He has consistently emphasized partnership between government, investors, and communities, arguing that power projects only last when the people they serve feel a sense of ownership. It is this belief that is shaping the ministry’s push for community co-owned mini-grids, private sector collaboration, and alignment with federal and international partners. For Nigerlites watching closely, the commissioner’s message is one of assurance. He has made clear that the New Niger Agen...

_Together We Shall Light Up Power State._ That’s the rallying call from Honourable Suleiman Umar, Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy in Niger State, and it captures the heart of the New Niger Agenda under Farmer Governor Umaru Bago. The plan is clear and deliberate: government leads the way, but the people of Niger State build, own, and sustain the energy solutions that will power homes, farms, and businesses for years to come.   At the center of this vision is a shift in ownership. Hon. Suleiman Umar is urging Nigerlite investors to partner with community groups to co-own and operate mini-grids, because projects only last when the people they serve feel responsible for them. “With our people, Niger State will not just use solar — we’ll own it,” he said. The ministry is backing this with ongoing projects from the Rural Electrification Agency, the Islamic Development Bank, ECOWAS, and the World Bank. Once handed over, these projects are expected to move the state from ...

Honourable Suleiman Umar, Niger State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, says the surest way to empower Nigerian youths through the power sector is for both federal and state governments to make bold investments in universities focused on renewable energy training and research. He added that the initiative aligns with the New Niger Agenda of Farmer Governor Umaru Bago, which places youth development, job creation, and sustainable infrastructure at the heart of governance. The Commissioner made the remarks during a media discussion with his media team on youth empowerment, where he reflected on the Rural Electrification Agency’s recent proposal to establish the first Renewable University in Nigeria. He described the proposal as a timely and important step that can transform the prospects of young people and strengthen the country’s energy future. “The plan to set up a dedicated Renewable University, in partnership with development partners, is the kind of forward-looking move ...

  Honourable Suleiman Umar, Niger State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, has backed the Federal Government’s push for locally made solar panels and battery production in Nigeria, but he cautioned that the shift to ban importation must be done carefully to avoid hardship for citizens. Speaking in response to last week’s solar power media training in Abuja, where energy experts warned against an abrupt restriction on solar panel imports, Hon. Suleiman Umar said he fully agrees with both the government’s policy direction and the advice of stakeholders in the energy sector. The experts had called for a gradual phase-out of imports over several years rather than an outright ban, after the Federal Government announced plans to halt solar panel imports following over N200 billion in investments to encourage domestic production. “We support local manufacturing of solar panels with our whole heart,” Hon. Suleiman Umar said. “We want to see factories in our states, jobs for our y...