By Momodu favour    

No fewer than 180 communities in Niger State that endured more than a decade of erratic electricity supply are now enjoying uninterrupted 24-hour solar power, following a major renewable energy rollout by the state government.

  The initiative, spearheaded by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, involved the deployment of solar mini-grids and other renewable energy solutions across previously unserved and underserved communities, marking what officials describe as a turning point in the state’s energy access drive.   The intervention has drawn commendation from the Niger Electricity Distribution Company, a subsidiary of Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc, which described the development as a significant breakthrough in addressing long-standing electricity challenges.   In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Brand Marketing and Corporate Communications, Omede Odekina, the company said the initiative reflects a practical solution to communities that had remained outside the reach of stable grid supply for years.   “The Niger Electricity Distribution Company welcomes the commendable efforts by the Niger State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, to deploy solar mini-grids and renewable energy solutions to previously unserved and underserved communities across the state,” the statement read.   According to the company, the provision of reliable 24-hour solar power to over 180 communities that had experienced no meaningful electricity supply for more than a decade represents a major step forward in tackling energy poverty.  

Beyond rural electrification, the state government has also transitioned several critical public institutions to independent solar systems.   These include the Government House, the General Hospital, the IBB Specialist Hospital, the Niger State Water Board, as well as multiple ministries, departments and agencies.   The Managing Director of Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc, Chijioke Okwuokenye, said the state’s renewable energy drive aligns with the decentralised electricity framework introduced under the Electricity Act 2023.   “We fully support the Niger State Government’s proactive approach to expanding access to reliable electricity through renewables,” Okwuokenye said.

  “These efforts complement the national push for decentralised power under the Electricity Act 2023 and demonstrate how collaboration between government, regulators, and licensed operators can accelerate progress for our customers.   “What we are seeing in Niger State is a practical example of how subnational governments can take initiative while still working within the broader regulatory framework,” he added.   Energy analysts say the project could serve as a model for other states seeking to leverage renewable energy to close supply gaps, particularly in remote and off-grid areas where grid extension remains economically challenging.  

Residents in beneficiary communities have reportedly expressed relief over the development, noting improvements in small-scale businesses, healthcare delivery, water supply, and general quality of life due to stable electricity.  

The Niger State Government has indicated that additional communities may be captured in subsequent phases of the renewable energy expansion programme as part of its broader strategy to strengthen infrastructure and promote sustainable development.