The Federal Government has launched a $750m renewable electricity initiative aimed at improving power supply across Nigeria through solar systems, mini-grids, and other off-grid solutions.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, disclosed this in Abuja while receiving officials from the National Judicial Institute during a visit to the agency’s headquarters. According to him, the programme represents the largest publicly funded renewable electricity initiative globally and is designed to tackle Nigeria’s long-standing electricity access gap.
Aliyu explained that the project is expected to attract about $1.1bn in additional private sector investment to support the deployment of 1,350 mini-grids nationwide. Out of this number, about 250 mini-grids will be interconnected to the national grid to strengthen power supply.
He noted that the government’s approach marks a major shift toward structured solutions for Nigeria’s electricity challenges, particularly for rural communities and underserved areas.
Beyond the mini-grid programme, the REA is also implementing solar energy projects in federal universities and teaching hospitals under its Energising Education Programme. Aliyu said 15 solar power projects have already been completed across tertiary institutions, including the University of Maiduguri, Federal University Gashua in Yobe State, and the Federal University of Agriculture in Akure.
Other institutions benefiting from the programme include universities in Nasarawa, Kogi, Imo, Ebonyi, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
He added that eight more solar installations are planned for institutions such as the University of Lagos, the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital, the University of Nigeria in Nsukka, the University of Benin, the Federal University Wukari in Taraba State, and the Federal University Dutse in Jigawa State.
Aliyu also revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved N100bn for the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative, which will provide solar electricity to government institutions facing unstable grid supply or high electricity bills.
Installations have already begun in several agencies and public facilities, including the Department of State Services, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the National Hospital in Abuja.
He said the initiative is intended to support public institutions that struggle with unreliable electricity while reducing dependence on diesel and petrol generators.
Aliyu assured the visiting delegation that the National Judicial Institute would also be considered for solar power under the programme after the necessary energy assessment is conducted to determine the appropriate capacity.
Earlier, the President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, praised the agency’s efforts to expand electricity access across the country.
He stressed that reliable power supply is essential for businesses, healthcare services, education, and judicial operations. Adejumo noted that the National Judicial Institute hosts hundreds of residents and operates numerous facilities, making stable electricity critical for its training activities.
Nigeria currently faces one of the largest electricity access deficits globally, with more than 85 million people lacking reliable power supply. Although the national grid has an installed capacity of over 13,000 megawatts, actual generation typically ranges between 3,500MW and 5,000MW, forcing many homes and businesses to rely on generators.
To address the gap, the government has increasingly promoted off-grid renewable energy projects, particularly solar mini-grids, to supply electricity to rural communities, universities, hospitals, and public institutions. The REA has been central to this strategy through initiatives such as the Nigeria Electrification Project and the Energising Economies Initiative.
Officials say the ongoing renewable energy projects are expected to improve electricity access, reduce reliance on fossil fuel generators, and support economic activity in communities across the country.
