From Vision to Light: Bago's New Niger Is Lit as Suleiman Umar Delivers

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When Farmer Governor Umaru Bago promised a New Niger, he meant a Niger that works for Nigerlites. Today, that promise is no longer on paper — it is shining in homes, schools, clinics, and markets across the state.

At the centre of that delivery is the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy under Hon. Suleiman Umar, turning vision into volts and policy into real light.

Niger State is not waiting for the world to decide on clean energy — it is already leading it. With abundant sunshine and open land, the state is turning nature into power, and power into progress.

This journey is strengthened by a bold push from the Federal Government. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Electricity Act 2023, has freed states from total dependence on the national grid, opening the door for states like Niger to generate and distribute their own power. Driving this nationally is the Rural Electrification Agency, REA — which in 2025 alone delivered over 200 new mini-grids and is building 900 more to light up 17.5 million Nigerians. The Agency has also delivered 82 megawatts of solar hybrid power to universities and teaching hospitals, mapped over 150,000 unelectrified communities, and is working closely with 21 states, with Niger State as a leading partner. To protect these investments, the government has created RAMCO — the Renewable Asset Management Company — to ensure public solar assets are maintained, protected and sustained for years to come.

That national confidence is why ECOWAS and the World Bank chose Niger as a pilot under ROGEAP, covering 19 countries in West Africa. Through this, Niger will receive 17 solar systems for Primary Health Centres and six 50kWp systems for public schools — bringing reliable power for vaccines, learning, and community services.

Beyond national partnerships, Niger is building its own legacy.

In Makunkele, Bosso LGA, the first 100-megawatt subnational off-grid solar plant in Nigeria is rising on 200 hectares, supported by the Islamic Development Bank and driven by a 12-member Steering Committee chaired by the SSG, Alh. Abubakar Usman. In Diko, Gurara LGA, 500 hectares have been allocated for a solar-powered industrial park led by Abuja Steel Mills, with a 200-megawatt solar mini-grid, while 200,000 hectares have been gazetted from Dikko to Tafa for future industries.

On the ground, the impact is already visible — over 180 communities that spent more than ten years in darkness now enjoy near 24-hour solar power, while Government House, General Hospital Minna, IBB Specialist Hospital and other key institutions have been taken off the unstable AEDC supply to independent solar systems.

And the journey is only getting brighter. In September 2026, Governor Bago announced a fresh push for another 200 megawatts, with a bold target of one gigawatt by 2030, attracting global investors like ALDESA Group and CCECC.

From vision to light, from promise to power — Niger State is showing Nigeria what the Power State truly means.

#StrongerTogether: Building The New Niger


From: Office of the Honourable Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Niger State 

A.B Makama, Media Strategist


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