- Nasarawa offers tax holidays and legal protections to attract renewable energy investors and boost electricity access.
- Governor Sule allocates 5% of state IGR to de-risk investments and support infrastructure like roads, water, and power.
- REA praises Nasarawa as Nigeria’s mini-grid leader, highlighting the state’s readiness for 100% electrification.
The Nasarawa State Government has pledged full support for renewable energy investors to improve electricity access across its 13 local government areas.
Governor Abdullahi Sule committed this at a roundtable in Abuja hosted by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the state government.
He announced tax holidays for renewable energy developers and assured them of strong legal protections. He also said his administration has built a business-friendly environment to attract investment.
Governor Sule revealed that Nasarawa allocates 5% of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to de-risk private investments. The state uses the fund to provide infrastructure like roads, water, and power for incoming projects.
“We back our investor protections with laws,” Sule said. “We passed executive bills to secure assets and worked hard to keep Nasarawa peaceful and safe. Every investor looks for security first.”
He pointed to Nasarawa’s lithium reserves as a key resource for clean energy development. He also announced that his government has begun building a World Bank-funded Multi-Door Courthouse to resolve land and tax issues outside regular courts.
Sule pledged full cooperation with investors and promised to guide them through every process. He reaffirmed that his administration would protect their investments both legally and practically.
The governor also praised the REA’s electrification plan and assured the agency of Nasarawa’s full support.
REA Managing Director and CEO Abba Aliyu said the Electricity Act 2023 reshaped the country’s power sector. He explained that the Act gives states and private players full rights to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity.
“The Act opened up the electricity sector for more state and private involvement,” Aliyu said. “It also prioritises renewable energy as a key to bridging the electricity gap.”
Aliyu said 86 million Nigerians lack electricity, 22 million of whom need it urgently. He urged states to take bold steps to close the access gap.
He commended Nasarawa for having the most mini-grids in Nigeria. He said the REA assessed each state’s readiness for full electrification and found Nasarawa among the top performers.
“We rated states on their ability to achieve 100% electricity coverage,” he said. “Nasarawa stood out for its leadership and preparedness.”
Aliyu, however, flagged low electrification budgets and a shortage of trained workers as significant challenges facing the state.
Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund, Doris Uboh, also praised Governor Sule. She said Nasarawa succeeded because the administration removed barriers to doing business.
“You made it easy for companies to work and help your communities grow,” she said. “Other states should follow your example.”
The roundtable aimed to connect investors with state governments and promote off-grid energy projects. It forms part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to expand electricity access through renewable energy.
Governor Sule’s commitments signal Nasarawa’s growing role in Nigeria’s clean energy future.