Light up Power State

The Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Hon. Suleiman Umar, has hailed the expression of interest by News Engineering and its technical partner, Mahashakti, in the Niger State 100MW Solar Energy Development Project, describing it as a major milestone for sustainable development in Niger State and Nigeria. The delegation, led by the Managing Director of News Engineering, Lady Josephine Nwaeze, visited the Farmer Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, at the State Liaison Office in Abuja to showcase the company's capacity to deliver the 100-megawatt solar project. Lady Nwaeze said the company was impressed by the State Government's strides in security partnerships and development, and expressed its desire to be part of the success story of the New Niger Agenda. Presenting the company's credentials, the Business Development Manager, Eng. Henry Akoji, said Mahashakti brings decades of experience as News Engineering's technical partner. He disclosed that News Engineering ha...

The Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 sponsored by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene seeking to establish a National Authority for Renewable Energy (NARE) has passed second reading. While the intention to strengthen renewable energy is commendable, but creating another federal authority at this time is not in the national interest. The position canvassed by the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, is more sustainable path and the Federal House of Representatives should align with it. First, it will create regulatory confusion and fragment in the electricity market. Nigeria is just implementing the Electricity Act 2023, which has allowed states to establish their own electricity regulatory commissions. And we are still managing the delicate transition between NERC and state regulators. Introducing another federal regulator organized around a technology - renewable energy - will creates a new axis of jurisdiction. As REA rightly argued, a single project may now ne...

  The Honourable Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Niger State, Hon. Suleiman Umar, has welcomed the position of the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, on boosting local solar production before restricting imports. Reacting to the Minister's statement that Nigeria must build its own manufacturing capacity first, Hon. Suleiman Umar said the Federal Government has taken the right step and Niger State is fully ready to be the centre of that revolution. "That is the exact suggestion we have been making. You cannot ban what you cannot produce. What the Minister said is wisdom. First build capacity, then protect it," the Commissioner said. Hon. Suleiman Umar said Niger State has all it takes to host solar manufacturing in Nigeria. "We have the land. Niger State has over 76,000 square kilometres of land, the largest in Nigeria. We have the manpower. We have energetic youths who are capable, trainable and ready t...

The honourable commissioner for power and renewable energy, Niger State, Hon. Suleiman Umar, has assured Nigerlites that the promise of Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to power Niger State is on course and will not fail. Hon. Suleiman Umar said many people ask what is happening in the power sector, but a lot is already going on across the state. According to him, this administration met many communities in total darkness for over ten years. Today, some of those communities now have light from both national grid and solar mini-grids with almost 24-hour electricity and others will be connected soon as work is ongoing across the 25 local government areas. He said government has also taken bold steps to power its own institutions. Government House, general hospitals, water board and other public offices are now running on solar to cut cost and show leadership. "Farmer Governor Bago promised to light up Niger State and make us the true Power State of Nigeria. He has never failed in...

The honourable commissioner for power and renewable energy, Niger State, Hon. Suleiman Umar, has hailed the commercial launch of the $300 million Nigeria distributed renewable energy (DRE) fund by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Africa50 and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). The fund, which was launched at the inaugural Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) global action forum on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York, is designed to deploy capital into distributed renewable energy solutions, including mini-grids and standalone solar systems for underserved communities and businesses across Nigeria. Hon. Suleiman Umar described the initiative as a bold and timely intervention that will accelerate sustainable development and inclusive growth for every Nigerian. "This $300 million DRE fund is great news for the sustainable development of Nigeria. It is a clear demonstration of moving from commitments to implementation, ali...

The commitment of the Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago administration to justice and inclusive development came to the fore at the Emir's Palace, Minna, as the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy commenced compensation payments to landowners affected by the 100MW solar power project in Maikunkele. The exercise, supervised by the Ministry under the leadership of the Honourable Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Hon. Suleiman Umar, signals the final ground-clearing for the take-off of one of Nigeria's largest solar electrification projects. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)-funded project, located in Bosso Local Government Area, sits on 126 hectares in Maikunkele District. The land size was reduced from 161 hectares after technical adjustments for power and rail line setbacks. So far, 67 affected persons have been verified and profiled for payment. Flagging off the payment, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Muhammad Gana, who stood in for Hon. Suleima...

The Niger State Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy under the leadership of the Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Suleiman Umar, has in the course of the week under review made significant progress in the implementation of the New Niger Agenda of His Excellency, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, in the power and renewable energy sector. Within the week, the Ministry participated in the two-day stakeholder engagement on the draft regulations for the Niger State electricity market organised by the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NSERC) in Minna. The engagement was on the draft Tariff Methodology Regulations and Mini-Grid Regulations as part of six draft regulatory instruments developed by the Commission to provide a comprehensive framework for the State electricity market. Speaking through his representative, Engr. Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad, the Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Suleiman Umar, reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government under the leadership of Farmer Govern...