- Niger State advocates domestic production of solar panels and batteries to strengthen energy supply chains.
- The Rural Electrification Fund programme targets 7.4 million households and reduces 1.5 million tons of carbon.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has emphasised the importance of local renewable energy production to strengthen Nigeria’s energy independence. Speaking at a Rural Electrification Agency state-by-state roundtable in Abuja, he encouraged the domestic manufacture of solar panels and batteries. He explained that producing these technologies locally could create jobs, reduce costs, and build a sustainable, renewable energy supply chain in Nigeria.
The governor highlighted Niger State’s leadership in transitioning hospitals, schools, and government offices into green facilities. Furthermore, he noted that the state established the country’s first sub-national Green and Blue Economy Agency. Staffed with climate finance and sustainability experts, the agency aims to ensure long-term institutional resilience rather than reliance on individuals.
Bago urged Nigerian companies and multinational conglomerates to establish factories for solar panels and battery production. He emphasised that local production reduces dependence on imports and creates a more self-reliant energy sector. “You don’t need to import solar cells from China. Local factories can serve both domestic and regional demand,” he said. The governor added that true sustainability requires resilient systems that endure beyond political or personal cycles.
He also linked renewable energy deployment to economic activity. Infrastructure alone cannot succeed without livelihoods. People must produce goods and services to afford energy, healthcare, housing, and education. Niger State has already allocated over 100,000 hectares of land for agriculture and housing under its development programme. Governor Bago explained that production generates revenue, which then supports sustainability across multiple sectors.
Additionally, Engr. Doris Uboh, Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund, noted that the REF national programme aims to reach 7.4 million households. The initiative is expected to impact more than 43 million Nigerians while achieving approximately 1.5 million tons of carbon reduction. Such measures position Nigeria as a stronger player in the global carbon market.
Governor Bago concluded that promoting local renewable energy production is essential not only for sustainability but also for economic empowerment. He stressed that when communities produce locally, they can naturally support green energy initiatives, ensuring long-term success for the renewable energy transition in Nigeria.