Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation are calling on the private sector to take a front seat in addressing Nigeria’s long-standing energy crisis.

During an oversight visit to Bagaja Renewables’ 1MWp interconnected solar mini-grid in Zawaciki, Kano, the lawmakers praised the project as a model for public-private collaboration in the energy space.“This project clearly illustrates the transformative potential of private investment in the power sector,” said Committee Chairman Hon. Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari.

“If more companies take up this challenge, Nigeria’s energy crisis can be addressed more swiftly and sustainably.”The lawmakers urged both local and foreign investors to look beyond the overstretched central grid and invest in decentralized energy systems like mini-grids and solar farms.

“The government cannot do it alone,” Chidari stressed. “We need serious, committed players in the private sector to drive innovation, efficiency, and expansion in our energy space.”

The Zawaciki facility, operated by Bagaja Renewables, supplies clean, reliable power to underserved communities and feeds into the national grid to improve stability and reduce outages.

Bagaja’s Managing Director, Sadiq Zakari, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to closing Nigeria’s energy access gap.“Our goal is simple — to close Nigeria’s energy access gap,” Zakari said. “We’re showing that with the right mix of investment and innovation, reliable power can reach every corner of Nigeria.”

He also revealed Bagaja’s expansion plans, including new projects in Kura-Karfi (Kano) and Kafin Hausa (Jigawa), aimed at powering local industries and rural communities.Chidari concluded with a clear message to potential investors:

“We’re here to show our support and to send a message: the door is open for private investors who are ready to make a difference. The time to act is now.”