By Our Correspondent, Abuja
The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a reformer per excellence, just as the agency officially launched a landmark ₦220 billion national solarisation initiative.
Abdullahi made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja during the flag-off ceremony of the ambitious renewable energy project, which aims to deploy solar mini-grids and home systems across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the ECN boss, the President’s ongoing reforms in the energy sector have created the enabling environment for the private-sector-driven project, describing Tinubu’s policies as “bold, transformative, and necessary” for Nigeria’s sustainable future.
“What we are witnessing today is a direct product of Mr. President’s resolve to rethink energy in Nigeria. From the removal of fuel subsidies to the unlocking of private capital in renewables, President Tinubu has proven himself a reformer per excellence,” Abdullahi stated.
The ₦220 billion solarisation drive, being implemented in partnership with global renewable energy developers and local financiers, is expected to:
· Provide electricity to over 5 million unserved and underserved households.
· Create an estimated 250,000 direct and indirect jobs.
· Reduce carbon emissions by 6 million tonnes annually.
· Boost economic activities in rural and peri-urban communities.
The ECN boss further revealed that the project would be rolled out in three phases, with the first phase focusing on 11 high-impact states, including Kaduna, Lagos, Kano, Rivers, and Borno.
“We are not just installing solar panels. We are building a decentralized energy ecosystem that will outlast this administration. Every reform, every policy shift, is aimed at ensuring no Nigerian is left in the dark,” Abdullahi added.
Industry stakeholders at the event, including representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), expressed optimism about the project’s bankability and sustainability.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, commended the ECN for keying into the Renewed Hope Agenda, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to clean, affordable, and reliable energy for all Nigerians.
The flag-off ceremony marked the official commencement of procurement and community sensitization, with the first batch of installations scheduled to begin in Q3 2025.
Middle-Belt Times 