The Federal Government has launched interconnected hybrid solar mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 13.92 megawatt-peak across five locations in Yobe State, marking a significant push to stabilise electricity supply in the region.
The Rural Electrification Agency announced the development in a statement issued after the official flag-off of the initiatives. The projects span Damaturu, Bade, Nguru, and Potiskum, targeting communities that have long grappled with unreliable power access.
Governor Mai Mala Buni described the rollout as a cornerstone of his administration’s infrastructure strategy. He said the investment aligns with efforts to strengthen local industrial capacity and raise agricultural productivity across the state.
Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, said the hybrid mini-grids are designed to integrate directly with existing distribution networks. The systems will deliver reliable, affordable solar power to households, enterprise hubs, and public institutions throughout Yobe.
“We are not merely connecting communities to electricity,” Aliyu said. “We are connecting them to opportunity.”
He added that the infrastructure will create conditions for business growth, youth innovation, improved agricultural processing, better Healthcare delivery, and broader economic activity at the local level.
The initiative reflects a growing federal focus on decentralised renewable energy as a pragmatic solution to Nigeria’s persistent power deficits. By bypassing transmission bottlenecks, mini-grids offer a faster route to electrification for underserved areas.
Analysts note that the success of such projects hinges on sustained maintenance, community ownership models, and regulatory clarity. The Yobe deployment will serve as a test case for scaling similar hybrid systems across other northern states where grid extension remains economically unviable.
Officials have not disclosed the project timeline or total investment value. The Rural Electrification Agency said further details on implementation phases and performance metrics will be released in coming months.
