Adamawa and Kaduna states have taken major steps toward expanding electricity access after officially issuing Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os) for key mini-grid project sites being developed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The approvals mark a significant move to accelerate renewable energy deployment and improve electricity supply in underserved communities across both states.
The mini-grid sites are being developed under the Federal Government’s Rural Electrification Agency’s Minimum Subsidy Tender (MST) programme, a key initiative aimed at boosting rural electrification through sustainable energy infrastructure.
The swift approvals, granted within hours of engagements with the REA, highlight the commitment of both state governments to supporting infrastructure development, encouraging private sector participation, and removing administrative bottlenecks that often slow down project execution.
Speaking on the development, Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, praised the governors of both states for their proactive leadership and responsiveness.
According to him, the actions send a strong signal to investors, developers, and financing institutions about the readiness of states to support large-scale electrification projects.
The Minimum Subsidy Tender programme is a major deployment framework under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), designed to fast-track electrification in underserved communities with strong economic growth potential through a competitive, private sector-driven process.
Under the framework, communities are identified, verified, and sensitized by the REA, while developers compete for capital grant support needed to deploy sustainable mini-grid infrastructure.
The programme is being implemented in phases, with the first phase targeting more than 163 sites across several states including Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Kano, Niger, Ondo, Ogun, Plateau, and Kebbi.
To improve efficiency, encourage economies of scale, and ensure long-term sustainability, the sites are grouped into state-based clusters. Altogether, the programme is expected to deploy about 213.436 MWp of solar PV capacity across participating communities.
In Kaduna State, land titles were secured for the Trapco site in Chikun Local Government Area, expected to deliver 3,100 projected connections through a 2.0 MWp capacity, and the Makarfi 1 site in Makarfi LGA, which targets 4,000 projected connections with a 4.0 MWp capacity.
In Adamawa State, Certificates of Occupancy were issued for three major interconnected mini-grid sites currently under development. These include Kofare in Yola South LGA, projected to provide 19,220 connections with an 8.0 MWp solar capacity; Mbamba in Yola South LGA, with 2,282 projected connections and a 0.8 MWp capacity; and Saminaka in Fufore LGA, expected to deliver 4,660 projected connections with a 2.5 MWp capacity.
