By Matthew Denis
The Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Mal. Umar A. Namadi, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to promote the development of renewable energy and improve energy access in the state.
The signing ceremony, held on Tuesday in Abuja, was part of the REA’s state-by-state roundtable engagement aimed at ensuring an efficient renewable energy supply across the country.
In his opening speech, Governor Namadi called on the Federal Ministry of Power to accelerate the timely delivery of the project, emphasising that it could demonstrate the viability of solar energy as a solution to Nigeria’s energy challenges.
A key focus of the MoU is the proposed Jigawa Solar Plant project, which will cover more than 2,000 hectares of land and is expected to generate up to 1,000 megawatts, providing power to over 100 towns and villages. This initiative highlights the state’s abundant renewable energy potential.
The Governor also pointed out that Jigawa State lies within one of the highest solar irradiation belts in the country, receiving an average of 11 hours of sunlight per day and 5.2 kilowatts per square metre daily, making solar energy a highly viable alternative. With low access to electricity from the national grid, the Governor stated that solar energy offers a promising solution for the state’s growing population. He also noted that Jigawa has become a hub for solar power generation, equipment production, and supply.
On the state’s economic development, Governor Namadi emphasised their commitment to diversifying Jigawa’s economy. He highlighted the agricultural transformation agenda, which includes the promotion of solar-powered irrigation systems, as well as efforts to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The state is also working to sustain progress in the health and education sectors by powering small towns and communities with solar energy.
The Governor concluded, “Part of today’s event is the signing of this MoU with the REA in our efforts to expand and deepen our collaboration with the agency. We are committed to supporting the REA’s programmes, which are perfectly aligned with our state’s agenda.”
Engr. Surajo A. Musa, Commissioner for Power and Energy in Jigawa State, spoke about the state’s progress in the energy sector. He highlighted that Jigawa is the first state in northern Nigeria to pass an electricity bill and has established a Ministry of Power and Energy. The state is working on delivering 1,300 MW of solar power through five independent solar power plants, with an estimated cost of $2 billion.
Jigawa has also adopted an Off-Grid Solar Policy and Implementation Plan for 2022-2030, which aims to promote energy access for small businesses and rural communities. The state offers investment incentives, such as tax holidays and land allocation, to encourage the development of renewable energy projects.
The Commissioner added that Jigawa is actively collaborating with organisations like the REA to improve energy access, create employment opportunities, and boost agricultural activities using renewable energy.
Abba Aliyu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, explained the importance of state-to-state engagement in promoting renewable energy development across Nigeria. He stressed that state governments must take an active role in creating enabling policies and regulations, as Jigawa has done. Aliyu reaffirmed that the REA’s efforts focus on promoting rural electrification through renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
The Managing Director stated that with the signing of the MoU, the REA will collaborate with Jigawa to expand rural energy access across various communities. He also encouraged state governments, private sector stakeholders, and civil society organisations to work together to ensure a sustainable energy future for Nigeria.
The event also featured discussions on business partnerships between developers and the Jigawa State government in the renewable energy sector.