Hon. Suleiman Umar: Energy Policy Must Also Be Job Policy

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The Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy of Niger State, Hon. Suleiman Umar, says Nigeria’s energy policy must go beyond providing electricity to creating jobs and building local industries.

Reacting to REA MD, Mallam Abba Aliyu’s remarks at the 2026 Oriental News Conference in Lagos, Hon. Suleiman Umar noted that despite over $2 billion invested in renewables, Nigeria has created only about 76,000 jobs far below the 16.2 million jobs supported globally by solar.

He said clean energy deployment must double as industrial policy. Programmes like public sector solarisation, mini-grids, and agricultural energy hubs should serve as anchor markets for Nigerian manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.

“Nigeria cannot transition on imported solutions. Every renewable project must create jobs for Nigerian engineers, technicians, and businesses, and strengthen our supply chains,” he stated.

Hon. Suleiman Umar added that improving project bankability and regulatory coordination is key to attracting investment. Niger State, he said, is ready to partner on models that prioritize local content.


A.B Makama

Media Strategist to Honourable Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy


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