From Abdullahi Idris,Dutse
Jigawa State government has secured a partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, to revolutionise renewable energy development and expand access to sustainable electricity.
The Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, was signed at the end of REA’s State-by-State Roundtable Conference with Jigawa State in Abuja.
The conference brought together top officials of REA, energy sector investors, industry experts and critical stakeholders to deliberate on actionable strategies to decentralise renewable energy markets and accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition.
With the theme, ‘Unleashing Market Opportunities for Decentralised Renewable Energy Market in Jigawa State,’ the conference showcased Jigawa State’s pioneering role as the first in the North-West to enact and operationalise a comprehensive electricity law, signaling a new era of energy innovation and inclusivity.
In his address, Governor Umar Namadi reiterated the state’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, which prioritises decentralised renewable energy as a catalyst for national economic growth.
“As most of us are aware, the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda recognises that Nigeria’s economic growth has long been stifled by structural constraints in the power sector.
“Accordingly, the agenda has considered increased public and private sector investments in off-grid and renewable power generation as part of the options for a sustainable solution to the seemingly intractable power problems in the country.
“In the same vein, several aspects of our 12-point agenda have equally recognised sustained investment in renewable energy, connecting rural communities and public institutions to off-grid electricity and expanding the role of the private sector in transforming the state’s economy as key priorities.
“This is in line with the strategic development objectives we are pursuing to deliver our vision for a greater Jigawa. Indeed, this is what informed our commitment to the pursuit of positive transformations across all sectors to ensure sustained improvements in the socio-economic well-being of the entire people in our state,” he said.
The governor emphasised the state’s strategic reforms, including the creation of the Ministry of Power and Energy, enactment of investor-friendly policies and ongoing mega projects such as the 1,000 MW Jigawa Solar PV Power Plan in Gwiwa Local Government—a flagship initiative set to transform the state into a national leader in solar energy production.
Namadi highlighted Jigawa’s vast solar potentials, boasting of 11 hours of daily sunshine and irradiation levels of 5.24 kW/m among the highest in Nigeria.
The MoU cements the collaboration between Jigawa State and REA to deploy decentralised renewable energy solutions, strengthen local capacity and attract private sector investments.
