No fewer than 180 communities in Niger State that endured more than a decade without meaningful electricity supply are now enjoying 24-hour solar power.
The breakthrough follows the deployment of solar mini-grids and other renewable energy solutions by the Niger State Government under Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
The initiative was commended by the Niger Electricity Distribution Company (NEDC), a subsidiary of Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Brand Marketing and Corporate Communications, Omede Odekina, the company described the project as a significant intervention for communities long outside the reach of stable grid supply.
Beyond rural communities, the state government has transitioned key public institutions to independent solar systems. These include the Government House, the General Hospital, the IBB Specialist Hospital, the Niger State Water Board, and several ministries, departments and agencies.
According to the statement, the provision of reliable 24-hour solar power to over 180 communities marks a major step in addressing long-standing energy access challenges.
The Managing Director of AEDC, Chijioke Okwuokenye, said the state’s renewable energy drive aligns with the decentralised electricity framework introduced under the Electricity Act 2023.
He noted that the reforms encourage collaboration between government, regulators and licensed operators to accelerate access to reliable electricity.
“What we are seeing in Niger State is a practical example of how subnational governments can take initiative while still working within the broader regulatory framework,” Okwuokenye said.
The Electricity Act 2023 unbundled regulatory oversight and allowed states to establish their own electricity markets and regulators.
Following the reform, Niger State established the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission to oversee intrastate electricity activities.
Under the new framework, distribution companies such as NEDC operate within state-licensed regimes while aligning with national market standards.
Sam Odekina, Chief Business Officer and Acting Managing Director of NEDC, said the company is ready to collaborate with the state government on hybrid solutions and grid integration.
He explained that combining solar, battery storage and grid supply can provide resilience and scalability as demand grows.
Many of the benefiting communities had relied on diesel generators and other costly alternatives for over 10 years.
The intervention includes mini-grid projects in areas such as Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area. The project was implemented in partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency and supported by international development partners.
Mini-grids and renewable systems are considered suitable for rural and semi-urban areas where extending the national grid may not be economically viable in the short term.
NEDC reiterated its commitment to public-private partnerships and the seamless integration of mini-grid projects under the state licensing regime.
For Niger State, the solar rollout signals a shift toward a diversified electricity model designed to reduce dependence on fragile grid extensions.
As decentralisation deepens, stakeholders say sustained collaboration between state governments, regulators and distribution companies will determine how quickly millions of Nigerians gain access to reliable and sustainable power.
