The governments of Adamawa and Kaduna states have approved Certificates of Occupancy for mini-grid project sites under the Rural Electrification Agency’s programme, in a move expected to expand electricity access to 33,262 homes.
The approvals cover critical project locations being developed under the REA’s Minimum Subsidy Tender programme, aimed at accelerating renewable energy deployment in underserved communities.
According to a statement by the REA, the swift issuance of land titles followed engagements with the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Abba Aliyu, reflecting what it described as strong commitment by both state governments to enabling infrastructure deployment and supporting private sector participation in the energy sector.
The agency said the development signals readiness by subnational governments to remove administrative bottlenecks that often delay project implementation, while also strengthening investor confidence in Nigeria’s electrification drive.
The MST programme, which operates under the Nigeria Electrification Project, is designed to expand access to electricity in pre-selected underserved communities with strong economic potential through a competitive, private sector-led tender process.
Under the framework, the REA identifies, verifies and sensitises communities, while developers compete for capital grant support to deploy sustainable mini-grid infrastructure.
The programme, it was stated, is being implemented in phases, with the first phase covering over 163 sites across states, including Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Kano, Niger, Ondo, Ogun, Plateau and Kebbi.
The scheme is expected to deploy about 213.436 megawatts of peak solar PV capacity across participating communities.
“The programme is being rolled out in phases, with the first phase prioritising over 163 sites across multiple states, including Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Kano, Niger, Ondo, Ogun, Plateau, and Kebbi. To improve operational efficiency, encourage economies of scale, and strengthen long-term sustainability, sites are packaged into state-based lots. Collectively, the programme is expected to deploy approximately 213.436 MWp of solar PV capacity across participating communities,” it said.
According to REA, in Adamawa State, Certificates of Occupancy were issued for three interconnected mini-grid sites. “These include Kofare in Yola South Local Government Area with 19,220 projected connections and 8.0 MWp solar capacity; Mbamba in Yola South with 2,282 projected connections and 0.8 MWp capacity; and Saminaka in Fufore Local Government Area with 4,660 projected connections and 2.5 MWp capacity,” the statement said.
Similarly, in Kaduna State, approvals were granted for the Trapco site in Chikun Local Government Area, targeting “3,100 connections with 2.0 MWp capacity, and the Makarfi 1 site in Makarfi Local Government Area, targeting 4,000 connections with 4.0 MWp capacity”.
The REA said the combined projects are expected to significantly expand renewable energy infrastructure, improve electricity access in underserved communities, and support local enterprise development and economic productivity.
It added that the rapid approvals demonstrate the growing role of state governments in advancing Nigeria’s energy transition and creating an enabling environment for clean energy investments.
The agency further noted that the development reflects increasing alignment between federal and subnational governments as well as private sector stakeholders in driving universal electricity access and renewable energy adoption across the country.
