Hon. Suleiman Umar Hails FG’s Renewable Energy Drive as Niger State Aligns for MSMEs, Universities and Global Energy Leadership

-

 

The Honourable Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Niger State, Honourable Suleiman Umar, has commended the Federal Government for unveiling major renewable energy initiatives aimed at powering businesses, institutions, and Nigeria’s role in global energy governance.

The announcements were made on Thursday in Abuja during the National Showcase of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 and the launch of the Tinubu Light Initiative, TLI, by the National Board for Technology Incubation, NBTI. 

The Federal Government launched TLI to provide affordable clean energy to one million MSMEs nationwide. According to NBTI Director-General, Dr Kazeem Raji, the programme will create over 50,000 direct jobs, cut production costs, and reduce reliance on diesel generators. It will also promote local assembly of renewable equipment, lower carbon emissions, and expand opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs through digital financing. Dr Raji said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is designed as an industrial, employment, and climate action policy to make Nigerian businesses more competitive.

At the same event, Gigawatts Global CEO, Yosef Abramowitz, announced up to $500 million in financing for solar plants in Nigerian universities. The funding will cover 90% of project costs and each plant will generate 10 to 20 megawatts, with surplus power supplied to surrounding communities through prepaid meters. Abramowitz said equipment will be sourced locally and that Nigerian partners will handle operations and maintenance to create jobs and ensure sustainability. He noted the project will reduce universities’ energy costs and free resources for research and innovation.

President Bola Tinubu also welcomed Nigeria’s admission as the newest National Member Committee of the World Energy Council, WEC. He described it as a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s reforms and said it will strengthen Nigeria’s voice on energy security, equity and sustainability. The President congratulated WEC Nigeria’s inaugural leadership led by Chairman Abdulrazaq Isa and CEO Bala Wunti, and other board members drawn from industry, regulation, finance, academia and youth. He said Nigeria will “lead, not just participate” to ensure Africa shapes global energy decisions, and reaffirmed government support for WEC Nigeria as a platform for policy dialogue and investment.

Hon. Suleiman Umar affirmed that Niger State is strategically positioned to benefit from these developments and will align implementation with Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s New Niger Agenda. He said the Tinubu Light Initiative will be leveraged to power MSMEs, markets, and agro-processing clusters across the state to reduce cost of production and create jobs.

On the $500 million private investment by Gigawatts Global for university solar plants, the Commissioner described it as a welcome private sector initiative and not a government programme. He encouraged other investors to take similar steps, noting that such investments are good business and will boost universities, support research, and extend clean power to surrounding communities.

The Commissioner added that with Nigeria’s new seat on the World Energy Council, the state will work to attract more investments, partnerships and technology transfer to expand renewable energy access. “Under the leadership of Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, we remain committed to delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable energy that drives industrial growth, supports our farmers and entrepreneurs, and improves the quality of life for the people of Niger State,” Hon. Suleiman Umar stated.


A.B Makama 

Media Strategist To Honorable Commissioner For Power and Renewable Energy 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Restoring Hope: Hon. Suleiman Umar's Vision for a Brighter Power State

-
Image
The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Niger State, under the leadership of Hon. Suleiman Umar, is undergoing a significant transformation. And with the establishment of the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NSERC) and the passage of the Power Sector Law 2024, the state is taking bold steps to regulate its electricity sector, promote renewables, and ensure power access for all. As Niger State is home to national hydropower dams, Ministry recognize the potential for reliable and affordable electricity. Hon. Suleiman Umar's leadership is focused on leveraging this potential to drive sustainable development, economic growth and improved living standards. Key initiatives include: - Regulating the electricity market via NSERC to create tailored solutions for local needs - Promoting solar power and other clean energy sources to expand access - Developing infrastructure, such as new transformers and substations, to improve distribution - Addressing power shortages throug...
Read more

Hon. Suleiman Umar: A Profile

-
Image
Honourable Commissioner Suleiman Umar is a renowned entrepreneur, politician, and dedicated public servant from Niger State, Nigeria. He hails from a time-honored family of public servants, entrepreneurs, and politicians, which has undoubtedly shaped his passion for service and leadership. Growing up, he was exposed to the world of politics and business, with his father being an active politician and entrepreneur, which sparked his interest in following in his footsteps. Sulaiman Umar's main business venture is agriculture-related, with a focus on shea butter processing. He was the General Manager of Nochem Industry Bida, Niger State, a company that has made history as the first to have a mechanised shea butter factory in Nigeria. Under his leadership, the company has been able to extract, filter, and package shea butter according to international standards, catering to the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries both locally and abroad. With Niger State being home to the largest c...
Read more

A Collaborative Step Towards Powering Niger State

-
Image
  In a significant move towards realizing Governor Umar Bago's vision of providing stable electricity to every household in Niger State, the Honourable Commissioner of Power and Renewable Energy, Hon. Suleiman Umar, has taken bold steps to revamp the sector. The familiarization meeting with key stakeholders, including Niger AEDC, NSEB (REB), and several contractors, marked a crucial milestone in the state's power journey. The Commissioner demonstrated remarkable prudence and dedication to his role, taking a hands-on approach to address the state's power challenges. His leadership has injected a new sense of urgency and purpose into the ministry, with a clear focus on delivering results. The meeting was a testament to his commitment to collaboration and stakeholder engagement, bringing together critical players to chart a way forward. Hon. Suleiman Umar's emphasis on harmonizing efforts and revisiting stalled projects has galvanized contractors and stakeholders, eager to...
Read more