FG unveils 23 solar mini-grids powering 50,000 Nigerians

The Federal Government on Thursday announced the completion of 23 solar mini-grid projects providing electricity to about 50,000 Nigerians, describing the initiative as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the national grid and accelerate off-grid energy deployment to underserved communities across the country.

The Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this in Abuja during the official launch of the Africa Mini-Grids Programme National Project pilot phase, themed “Powering Agricultural Value Chains and Stimulating State Energy Markets.”

The event, organised by the Rural Electrification Agency in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility, also marked the unveiling of the 23 solar mini-grid projects spread across rural communities in Nigeria.

The projects are expected to provide electricity to about 50,000 people and more than 20,000 households, while supporting businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and agricultural processing centres.

Speaking at the event, Tegbe described the mini-grid initiative as a practical demonstration of collaboration among the government, development partners and local communities, noting that the projects represented more than the commissioning of electricity infrastructure.

According to him, the initiative is already transforming livelihoods and revitalising local economies. “I am extremely excited today, not just because of mini-grids or because of partnerships, but because I am seeing a practical reflection of collaboration. Many initiatives struggle because of funding challenges, sustainability concerns, and implementation issues. But this programme shows what can happen when everyone works together towards a common goal.

“Today’s event transcends commissioning infrastructure. For me, it marks the transformation of communities. We are not just talking about 23 mini-grids. We are talking about 50,000 people, more than 20,000 households, and thousands of businesses whose lives will be changed.

“I have attended several mini-grid inaugurations, and I have seen the excitement in our people. I have seen communities taking ownership of these assets. When you tell a community that this infrastructure belongs to them, traditional rulers and youths rise to protect it because they understand the value it brings.”

The minister stressed that renewable energy should no longer be viewed as an alternative source of electricity but as a key component of Nigeria’s power generation mix.

“For the avoidance of doubt, renewable energy, especially solar technology, is not an alternative source of power. It is not a generator solution or a diesel replacement strategy. It is an integral part of our national power architecture.

“When we talk about hydro, solar, and wind, these are not generators; they are legitimate sources of power generation. Today in Nigeria, for the first time, we have a solar farm producing 200 megawatts of electricity.”

Tegbe noted that countries such as Kenya, Morocco, and Egypt had significantly increased the contribution of renewable energy to their electricity generation, adding that Nigeria was determined to follow a similar path. He said the government was deploying technology to address the unique energy challenges of underserved communities.

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Earlier in his address, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said electricity should no longer be regarded as a social service because it had become the foundation of modern economies.

He noted that the future of artificial intelligence, digital innovation and modern healthcare depends largely on access to reliable electricity, warning that Nigeria risks missing out on emerging opportunities if it fails to accelerate energy access.

Aliyu said countries around the world were investing heavily in electricity infrastructure because power had become the foundation of technological advancement, industrialisation and economic competitiveness.

He noted that the Africa Mini-Grids Programme was deliberately designed to connect electricity with productivity by targeting agricultural production and processing clusters, rather than merely providing power to households.

Also speaking, the Resident Representative of the UNDP in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, said the mini-grid projects represented a new way of thinking about energy.

“For too long, energy has been discussed primarily as an infrastructure challenge. Today reminds us that energy is also economic infrastructure. It powers farms and factories, schools and hospitals, small businesses and digital enterprises. It creates the conditions for productivity, investment, jobs, and inclusive growth.”

She said the 23 pilot projects had shown how renewable energy could help communities move from mere electricity access to economic opportunities.

The PUNCH reports that the Africa Mini-Grids Programme is a continent-led initiative designed to accelerate access to clean and reliable electricity across Africa.

Funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the UNDP in partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency, the programme operates in 21 African countries and seeks to attract investment in solar battery mini-grids.

Nigeria is regarded as the flagship country under the initiative, hosting one of Africa’s most vibrant mini-grid markets.

According to the organisers, the programme is now transitioning into a second phase known as the Africa Electrification Platform, which will focus on connecting energy systems to agriculture, healthcare, education, digital services and green industries to create jobs and stimulate economic growth across the continent.