As part of plans to accelerate rural electrification and integrate renewable energy into grassroots development, the Adamawa State Government, through the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Yayaji Mijinyawa, led a high-powered delegation to three local government areas: Song, Girei, and Demsa.
The visit was carried out on the directive of Governor Umar Fintiri to understudy the pilot LGAs for electrification through renewable energy.
The delegation included key stakeholders in the state’s development architecture, such as the Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Titus Solomon, and the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Umar Garba Pella, among others.
Also on the visit was Mr. Ayo, Director General of Renewable Power Nigeria, who expressed enthusiasm over Governor Fintiri’s commitment to transforming Adamawa’s energy landscape.
“The Governor has shown unwavering support for renewable initiatives. This partnership will not only energize the state but also attract industries, create jobs, and boost productivity,” he said.
Local government chairmen of the communities visited were urged to provide critical data such as the names of communities in need, estimated number of households, and dominant agricultural practices.
According to him, “This data will guide the strategic deployment of solar and mini-grid systems tailored to local energy and economic needs.”
The field visits were a fallout of a recent roundtable engagement held in Abuja under the theme, “Unlocking Private Sector Opportunities in Distributed Renewable Energy.”
The event, hosted at Transcorp Hilton’s Borno Hall, was jointly organized by the Adamawa State Government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
In his keynote address, Governor Fintiri outlined his administration’s strides in economic reform, rural electrification, and infrastructure development.
He revealed that over ₦3 billion has been invested in more than 30 rural electrification projects across the state. The governor also announced plans to train 1,000 youths annually in solar photovoltaic installation to build local capacity and enhance sustainability.
Notably, an investor has expressed interest in building a 300-megawatt solar PV farm in Adamawa — a landmark project expected to transform the state’s energy profile. Other initiatives include integrating renewable energy into the agriculture and transport sectors, incentivizing private investments through tax reliefs, and supporting mini-grid projects for hard-to-reach communities.
Aliyu Abba, Managing Director and CEO of REA, emphasized the potential of renewable energy to drive inclusive development. He noted that with Adamawa’s support, REA could reconnect 442,560 people to the national grid, potentially attract $1.9 billion in investments, create 40,000 jobs, and grow the domestic economy by $3.7 billion.
Using the VIDA app, REA has mapped out off-grid areas, with Hong LGA identified as having the highest number of disconnected communities. A recently signed MoU between REA and the state government further solidifies their commitment to bridging the energy gap.
The synergy between state authorities, federal agencies, and private sector stakeholders marks a transformative chapter in Adamawa’s energy development strategy.
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