Nigeria Launches $750m Solar Mini-Grid Plan
The Federal Government is implementing what has been described as the largest publicly funded renewable electricity programme in the world, aimed at expanding power access through mini-grids, solar infrastructure, and off-grid electrification projects across Nigeria, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, has said.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Mr. Abba Aliyu, said the Nigerian government is carrying out what he described as the largest publicly funded renewable electricity program in the world. The initiative aims to expand electricity access through mini-grids, solar systems, and other off-grid projects across Nigeria.
Aliyu told a delegation from the National Judicial Institute during a visit to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday that the current administration has adopted a new and structured approach to addressing the country’s electricity access challenges. He said the government is implementing a $750 million renewable electrification program that is expected to attract about $1.1 billion in private sector investment.
Speaking about the possibility of installing solar power systems at the institute’s training facilities, Aliyu said the program will support the deployment of 1,350 mini-grids across the country. This includes 250 interconnected mini-grids that will feed electricity directly into the national grid.
Aliyu welcomed the visiting delegation and said the progress being made at the agency is largely due to the support of the president. He said the program represents the first time the Federal Government has introduced a structured national effort to tackle electricity access in the country.
He added that the $750 million project is expected to attract $1.1 billion in private sector funding and will help deliver 1,350 mini-grids across the country.
Aliyu explained that the program will improve electricity supply in underserved communities while also supporting the country’s shift toward cleaner energy sources.
He also said the agency is implementing several large solar projects under the Energising Education Program. The initiative provides dedicated electricity supply to federal universities and teaching hospitals.
According to him, the agency has completed 15 projects under the program so far. One of the projects involved installing a 12-megawatt solar system at a university to power the campus, the teaching hospital, and a water treatment plant through a newly built distribution network.
Aliyu said the program has already delivered solar power systems to several federal institutions. These include the University of Maiduguri, Federal University Gashua in Yobe State, Federal University of Agriculture Akure, as well as universities in Nasarawa, Kogi, Imo, Ebonyi, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.
He added that eight more solar projects are ready for implementation at institutions such as the University of Lagos, the teaching hospital of the University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Benin, Federal University Wukari in Taraba State, and Federal University Dutse in Jigawa State.
Aliyu said the projects represent the scale of infrastructure being introduced across the country to improve electricity access.
He also revealed that the President approved ₦100 billion for the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative. The program aims to provide solar electricity to government institutions that face unreliable grid supply or high electricity costs.
According to him, the initiative has already started in several public institutions, including the Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the National Hospital Abuja, as well as several tertiary institutions.
Aliyu said the program aims to support public institutions that either lack reliable electricity or struggle to cover their energy costs.
He said installations have already started at the DSS, EFCC, ICPC, the National Hospital, and about 12 more educational institutions across the country, adding that the program will continue to expand.
Aliyu assured the delegation that the National Judicial Institute would also be considered for solar power under the program. He explained that the agency usually carries out an energy audit to determine the required capacity before installing a mini-grid system.
He said the audit helps determine the appropriate size of the mini-grid, the distribution network, and the metering system before installation. He added that the National Judicial Institute will also be included in the program.
In his remarks, the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Babatunde Adejumo, praised the agency for its work in improving electricity access in communities and institutions.
Adejumo said the judiciary understands the importance of reliable electricity for economic growth, public services, and the efficient running of the justice system.
He added that electricity remains one of the country’s biggest challenges. According to him, small businesses such as barbers, hairdressers, and tailors rely heavily on a stable power supply to operate.
He also noted that modern institutions, including hospitals, training centers, and courts, require reliable electricity to function effectively, especially as many services now depend on digital systems.