Jigawa State Government, led by Governor Malam Umar Namadi, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to drive renewable energy development and expand access to electricity across the state.
The agreement was formalized at the REA State-by-State Roundtable Conference in Abuja, where stakeholders from the energy sector, investors, and policymakers discussed strategies to decentralize renewable energy markets and accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition.
With the theme “Unleashing Market Opportunities for Decentralized Renewable Energy in Jigawa State,” the conference highlighted Jigawa’s pioneering role as the first state in Northwest Nigeria to enact and implement a comprehensive Electricity Law.
Governor Namadi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes decentralized renewable energy solutions to drive national economic growth.
He explained that overcoming Nigeria’s power sector challenges requires increased public and private sector investments in off-grid and renewable energy.
As part of Jigawa’s strategic reforms, the state has established a Ministry of Power and Energy and enacted investor-friendly policies to attract private sector participation.
A key initiative under this plan is the 1,000 MW Jigawa Solar PV Power Project in Gwiwa Local Government, which aims to position the state as a leader in solar energy production.
Governor Namadi also emphasized the state’s solar potential, with 11 hours of daily sunshine and high irradiation levels of 5.24 kW/m², making it an attractive hub for renewable energy investments.
He assured investors of a conducive business environment, streamlined regulations, and strong government support for energy projects.
The MoU solidifies Jigawa’s collaboration with REA to deploy decentralized renewable energy solutions, strengthen local capacity, and attract private sector investments in power generation, transmission, and distribution.
Among the upcoming projects are an 80 MW solar initiative by Nova Scotia Power Development Company and a 200 MW project by Cogen Energy Limited, both set to enhance electricity supply in underserved areas.
Governor Namadi reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that Jigawa remains at the forefront of Nigeria’s renewable energy revolution, offering economic opportunities while improving the livelihoods of its citizen.
REL/USMAN MZ
