Tinubu’s Power Reform Drives Solar Mini-Grid Expansion in Nigeria

Engineer Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, has highlighted major progress in the country’s electricity reforms through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the rollout of solar mini-grid projects across Nigeria. He made the remarks after the commissioning of a 505kWp interconnected mini-grid in Epe, Lagos State, while also addressing journalists on the sector’s outstanding debt.

He described the Epe project as a clear example of electricity decentralisation in Nigeria, crediting President Bola Tinubu’s Electricity Act 2023 for shifting control of generation, transmission, and distribution towards state and private participation. According to him, the project goes beyond power supply, as it connects generation directly to households through modern infrastructure.

The system, developed with support from the European Union, the government of Germany through GIZ, and private partners such as A4&T, includes solar generation units, battery storage systems, transmission lines, and smart meters installed in homes. He noted that the Epe solar mini-grid also links with Ikeja Electric to ensure real grid integration.

Tegbe explained that the government plans to scale up beyond the current 505kWp to a 5MW expansion project for wider community coverage. He also confirmed that similar solar mini-grid deployment in Nigeria is ongoing in universities and teaching hospitals, with installations reaching 10MW and 12MW in some locations.

He further revealed that private investors have secured 500 hectares in Niger State for a 200MW solar project, supported by policies such as net metering, which allows excess electricity to be fed back into the grid.

On sector debt, Tegbe said the power sector debt in Nigeria, estimated at N3.33 trillion, is being addressed through a government-backed bond. He confirmed that N501 billion has already been paid to GenCos, with another tranche expected in July, assuring that the administration is working to stabilise liquidity and prevent further accumulation.