Abayomi susan
The Federal Government has commenced the construction of three interconnected mini-grid projects in Kofare, Saminaka, and Mbamba communities of Adamawa State, with a combined generation capacity of 13.5 megawatts, as part of efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand electricity access to underserved communities across Nigeria.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, described the initiative as a major milestone in the nation’s drive towards achieving universal electricity access, strengthening energy security, and promoting a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
Tegbe explained that mini-grids are not designed to replace the national grid but rather serve as an important component of Nigeria’s wider electricity architecture. He noted that the country’s power sector development strategy involves integrating grid infrastructure, renewable energy solutions, mini-grids, and energy storage systems to create a more reliable and diversified electricity network.
The Minister further linked the projects to the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) Programme, a flagship renewable energy initiative aimed at mobilising public and private sector investments to provide millions of Nigerians with access to reliable and sustainable electricity.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed that the Adamawa projects are part of a broader rollout of 39 mini-grids across the state. The programme comprises three interconnected and 36 isolated mini-grids, with a combined capacity of nearly 27 megawatts, expected to provide electricity to about 40,000 households, 6,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and more than 100 public institutions.
Aliyu commended the Minister of Power for his continued support for renewable energy development and his recognition of mini-grids as a critical part of Nigeria’s electricity ecosystem.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, praised the Federal Government for the initiative, describing the projects as a significant boost to the state’s development efforts. He noted that the projects were a result of the REA State-by-State Roundtable held last year, which brought together energy developers and state governments to identify opportunities and promote investment in the power sector.
During the official groundbreaking, the Minister applauded the Adamawa State Government for providing 30 hectares of land for the projects and acknowledged the contributions of the REA, development partners, electricity distribution companies, financiers, and host communities towards the success of the initiative.
Tegbe urged residents of the beneficiary communities to protect the mini-grid facilities from vandalism, stressing that the infrastructure belongs to the people and would play a vital role in improving livelihoods, supporting businesses, and enhancing social development.
For the communities of Kofare, Saminaka, and Mbamba, the commencement of the projects represents a new chapter of opportunity, where reliable electricity will support commerce, education, healthcare, and economic growth. The Federal Government reaffirmed that the initiative reflects its commitment to building a more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable electricity sector capable of powering Nigeria’s development.
