By Abbas Nazil
Nigeria is taking bold steps to become Africa’s leading renewable energy hub, with the federal government expanding solar power deployment and exporting locally produced photovoltaic panels to other African countries.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is prioritising renewable energy as a major alternative to conventional electricity generation due to its cost efficiency, sustainability and ability to reach underserved communities.
Aliyu disclosed that the government has approved a structured programme aimed at providing electricity to about 17.5 million Nigerians within three years through large-scale renewable energy investments.
He explained that the plan is supported by the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up programme, a $750 million initiative expected to attract an additional $1.1 billion in private sector financing to accelerate electricity access across the country.
According to him, the project includes the deployment of 1,350 mini-grids nationwide, with about 250 designed as interconnected systems capable of integrating with the existing power network.
Aliyu added that Nigeria has achieved a significant milestone by becoming an exporter of photovoltaic panels produced in Lagos, with shipments already reaching countries such as Ghana.
He noted that the sustainability of these renewable energy projects is being strengthened through two key strategies, including the creation of the Renewable Asset Management Company, a public-private partnership designed to oversee infrastructure operations and maintenance.
The second strategy, he said, focuses on increased private sector participation, with investors contributing financing and technical expertise to support long-term project sustainability and ensure returns on investment.
Aliyu further explained that before implementing the Distributed Energy Solutions programme, the government developed the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan, which was presented to the National Economic Council to guide electricity access expansion across the country.
The plan involved mapping electricity access across Nigeria and identifying more than 80 million citizens without power supply, based on data from the World Bank.
He said the mapping exercise provided detailed data down to the level of individual communities and households, enabling authorities to determine the most cost-effective approach for supplying electricity to about 153,000 communities nationwide.
Depending on location and population density, the solutions include extending the national grid, deploying isolated mini-grids, interconnected mini-grids, mesh systems or solar home systems.
Aliyu explained that solar energy was prioritised because it is relatively inexpensive and faster to deploy compared to thermal or hydroelectric power projects, which typically require several years to complete.
He added that Nigeria’s hot climate also supports consistent solar energy generation, making the technology a practical solution for improving electricity access.
Under the mini-grid model, isolated communities receive independent solar generation plants located within the community, supported by distribution networks, full metering systems and monitoring technology that allows performance tracking through digital platforms.
In peri-urban areas with existing but unreliable electricity supply, interconnected mini-grids are deployed to complement the national grid by supplying solar power during the day while distribution companies provide electricity at night.
Aliyu said battery storage systems are also installed to maintain supply when distribution companies fail to deliver electricity, ensuring reliability for consumers.
The agency is currently developing 50 interconnected mini-grids expected to add about 280 megawatts of reliable electricity to the national grid.
Beyond household electrification, the agency’s renewable energy programmes are also supporting critical sectors such as education, healthcare and agriculture through specialised infrastructure projects.
Aliyu said the government has already deployed hybrid mini-grid systems in 15 universities, including a 12-megawatt solar project at the University of Maiduguri and a three-megawatt facility in Abuja.
He added that more than 100 megawatts of clean energy has been installed across educational institutions, with plans underway to expand the initiative to eight additional universities under the fourth phase of the Energising Education Programme.
The agency has also installed 100 containerised mini-grids in healthcare facilities across Nigeria, improving electricity supply for medical services while supporting agricultural production clusters through the Energising Agriculture Programme.
