Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, has promised Nigerians a noticeable increase in power stability before 2026 concludes. During the launch of the Africa Mini-Grid Programme (AMP) in Abuja, he emphasized that the government is actively repairing the national power grid while simultaneously scaling up off-grid renewable energy projects.
This initiative, a collaboration between the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has already deployed 23 mini-grids across 15 states. These systems now serve approximately 20,000 households, benefiting over 50,000 people by supporting essential agricultural and economic activities.
Adelabu acknowledged that while the power sector has suffered from decades of neglect, the administration of President Bola Tinubu is working to fix infrastructure and build off-grid assets. He noted that solar and other renewable technologies are vital components of the nation’s energy mix, particularly for areas unreachable by the main grid. He praised the partnership, which is already planning a second phase to deliver 50 additional mini-grids.
Abba Aliyu, the REA Managing Director, highlighted that these projects do more than provide light; they transform rural economies by allowing farmers to process crops locally and helping small businesses thrive after dark. Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UN Assistant Secretary-General, lauded Nigeria for being a pioneer in completing the programme cycle, signaling strong potential for future investment and expansion through further support from organizations like the World Bank.
