Niger State has been positioned as a pilot beneficiary of the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), a collaborative initiative between the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The partnership was formalized during a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, attended by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
The project is specifically designed to electrify primary healthcare centers and educational institutions across Niger State using sustainable solar power solutions.
Governor Bago, popularly known as the Farmer Governor, highlighted that the state’s vast landmass and agricultural potential make it an ideal candidate for transitioning away from the national grid toward decentralized renewable energy.
According to ECOWAS President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the initial stage of the collaboration will facilitate the electrification of 15 schools and health centers by mid-June 2026.
Technical teams from both agencies are set to finalize bidding documents for the solar power plants, with a focus on selecting private sector partners capable of meeting strict delivery timelines.
Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director of the REA, noted that Niger State is already one of the agency’s most responsive partners, currently hosting over 80 mini-grids that connect 70,000 households.
The new ROGEAP initiative will further augment these efforts, including a 5.5-megawatt project dedicated to powering Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
This strategic partnership is expected to unlock significant economic opportunities and improve the quality of life in rural communities throughout the state.