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Nigeria Unveils $750 Million Solar Power Push to Light Up 1,350 Communities

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 7th, 2026.

Nigeria has unveiled a $750 million renewable energy programme aimed at expanding electricity access across the country through solar mini-grids and off-grid power systems. Officials say the initiative could attract over $1.1 billion in private-sector investment while transforming energy access for underserved communities.

The programme, spearheaded by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), plans to deploy 1,350 solar mini-grids nationwide, including 250 systems that will feed directly into the national electricity grid. Large scale solar installations under the scheme are already powering universities and teaching hospitals, while government agencies and public institutions are benefiting from reduced reliance on diesel generators through the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative.

REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu, speaking in Abuja during a visit by a delegation from the National Judicial Institute, described the project as a landmark effort to tackle Nigeria’s long-standing electricity challenges.

“For the first time, we are implementing the largest publicly funded renewable electricity project in the country’s history. This $750 million initiative is set to catalyse $1.1 billion in private investment and bring power to communities previously beyond reach,” Aliyu said.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, continues to grapple with inconsistent power supply, forcing millions of households and businesses to rely on costly diesel and petrol generators. Decentralized solar mini-grids offer a faster, cleaner, and more sustainable solution, particularly in rural areas where extending the national grid is often expensive and slow.

The programme is designed to deliver electricity to off-grid communities while simultaneously strengthening the national grid by integrating select mini grid systems into the broader power network, providing both immediate and long-term improvements in energy availability.