Business
NEDC Aligns With Niger State’s Solar Drive, Pledges Partnership On Inclusive Electrification
fully supports the state government’s renewable energy direction
The Niger Electricity Distribution Company (NEDC), a subsidiary of Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC), has expressed strong support for the Niger State Government’s aggressive deployment of solar mini-grids and renewable energy solutions to previously unserved and underserved communities across the state.
The company described the intervention under the leadership of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago as a significant step toward addressing long-standing electricity access gaps, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities that have endured years without reliable supply.
According to NEDC, the state’s initiatives include the provision of reliable 24-hour solar power to over 180 communities that had experienced no meaningful electricity supply for more than a decade.
The transition of key public institutions — including Government House, hospitals such as the General Hospital and IBB Specialist Hospital, the Niger State Water Board, and other ministries, departments and agencies — to independent solar systems also signals a deliberate shift toward decentralised and sustainable energy solutions.
Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye, managing director of AEDC, said the distribution company fully supports the state government’s renewable energy direction.
“We fully support the Niger State Government’s proactive approach to expanding access to reliable electricity through renewables. These efforts complement the national push for decentralised power under the Electricity Act 2023 and demonstrate how collaboration between government, regulators, and licensed operators can accelerate progress for our customers,” he said.
Engr. Sam Odekina, chief business officer and acting managing director of NEDC, emphasised the alignment between the state’s solar mini-grid deployment and the company’s broader electrification mandate.
“The deployment of solar mini-grids in previously unserved areas aligns perfectly with our shared goal of inclusive electrification. As the licensed intrastate distributor under the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NSERC), NEDC is eager to partner closely with the state government on hybrid solutions, grid integration where feasible, and innovative projects that deliver sustainable benefits to residents, businesses, and institutions alike,” the power chief disclosed.
The company noted that the initiatives align with the decentralised and multi-source electricity framework established by the Electricity Act 2023, as well as the establishment of the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NSERC) and the ongoing domestication of relevant regulations within the state.
NEDC also referenced ongoing deployments in areas such as Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area, supported by partnerships including those with the Rural Electrification Agency and international donors, describing the projects as complementary to national efforts aimed at expanding renewable energy access and reducing reliance on traditional grid extensions where they are not yet viable.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to collaboration with the Niger State Government, NSERC and other stakeholders to deliver reliable, sustainable and inclusive electricity supply throughout the state.
This, it said, includes exploring hybrid grid-renewable solutions, commercially viable grid extensions, seamless integration of mini-grid projects under the NSERC licensing regime, and potential public-private partnerships to accelerate electrification and support economic development.
By building on the momentum created by the current solar rollout, NEDC and the state government signalled their intention to deepen cooperation in pursuit of improved livelihoods, enhanced security of supply, industrial growth and a more resilient energy future for residents and businesses across Niger State.
