Susan Abayomi
The Federal Government has taken another step towards expanding reliable electricity access in rural communities with the commissioning of a 581kWp interconnected solar mini-grid equipped with a 1.4MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Oke-Oyi, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The project was commissioned by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, as part of efforts to strengthen electricity supply in underserved communities and expand access to renewable energy.
The additional battery storage capacity is expected to enable the mini-grid to continue supplying electricity during the night, improving the reliability of power available to residents and businesses in the community.
The project was delivered under the Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS) with support from the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP). Funding and technical support came from the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany through GIZ, and other development partners, including UNICEF.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Tegbe described the IMAS initiative as an example of how international development partnerships can be structured to attract private-sector participation and establish sustainable energy projects.
He explained that the scheme uses public funding to leverage private investment, while creating clear market conditions and supporting the long-term commercial viability of mini-grid projects rather than relying indefinitely on government subsidies.
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) said the Oke-Oyi project demonstrated the potential of interconnected mini-grids to combine distributed renewable energy with existing electricity distribution infrastructure.
According to him, the approach can improve electricity supply, encourage private investment and stimulate economic activities in rural communities.
He added that REA would continue to promote similar projects through stronger financing, regulatory and institutional frameworks, while placing emphasis on commercial sustainability, effective maintenance and community ownership.
The REA boss acknowledged the contributions of the Federal Ministry of Power, Kwara State Government and development partners, as well as the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and Nayo Tropical Technologies Limited, towards the completion of the project.
Representing the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, commended the Federal Government’s ongoing power-sector initiatives in the state.
He said improved electricity supply was particularly important to rural communities, noting that access to reliable power could help reduce rural-urban migration by creating better economic opportunities within local communities.
“As the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly and being from a rural area, we understand the importance of electricity in taming rural-urban migration,” he said.
The Speaker also commended Tegbe for aligning the project with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and delivering what he described as tangible benefits to residents.
In his remarks, Tegbe urged residents of Oke-Oyi to protect the newly commissioned infrastructure against vandalism and other forms of criminal interference.
He described the facility as a community asset designed to support economic development and improve the quality of life of present and future generations.
Declaring the project commissioned on behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister congratulated the Oke-Oyi community and the various stakeholders involved in its delivery.
“As we energize this community, we are also energizing businesses, creating opportunities, empowering young people, improving livelihoods, and building a more resilient future for Nigeria,” Tegbe said.
The Oke-Oyi mini-grid is expected to provide electricity to about 1,800 businesses and households, adding to the Federal Government’s growing portfolio of rural and off-grid electrification projects.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to expand electricity access, strengthen energy security and support Nigeria’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable sources of power.
