Kaduna and Adamawa states have formally granted Certificates of Occupancy for key locations tied to mini-grid developments being advanced by Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency, a move intended to speed up renewable power delivery and reduce delays that often slow infrastructure rollouts. The approvals cover project sites in each state that will host solar mini-grid systems under the Federal Government’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Minimum Subsidy Tender (MST) programme.
The REA said the certificates were issued within hours following engagements with the agency, reflecting what it described as a strong level of cooperation from state authorities. Abba Aliyu, the managing director of the REA, praised both governors for what he called responsive and forward-looking leadership, adding that such fast-moving administrative support helps reassure investors, developers, and financing institutions that states are prepared to enable large-scale electrification projects.
The MST programme is positioned as a core delivery mechanism under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), aimed at accelerating power access in communities that have been pre-selected and are considered underserved, particularly where prospects for economic growth are high. Under the model, the REA identifies, verifies, and engages communities, then runs a competitive, private sector-led tender through which developers bid for capital-grant support needed to install sustainable mini-grid infrastructure.
Implementation is being carried out in phases, with the first phase prioritising more than 163 sites across multiple states, including Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Kano, Niger, Ondo, Ogun, Plateau, and Kebbi. To improve execution efficiency, promote economies of scale, and enhance long-term viability, the sites are grouped into state-based lots.
Across participating communities, the programme is expected to deploy roughly 213.436 MWp of solar photovoltaic capacity. In Kaduna State, the land documentation process has advanced for the Trapco project in Chikun Local Government Area, a site designed for 3,100 projected connections with a 2.0 MWp capacity. Kaduna has also secured a Certificate of Occupancy for the Makarfi 1 mini-grid site in Makarfi Local Government Area, targeting 4,000 projected connections supported by a 4.0 MWp solar capacity.
In Adamawa State, Certificates of Occupancy have been issued for three interconnected mini-grid sites currently under development. These are Kofare in Yola South Local Government Area, with 19,220 projected connections and an 8.0 MWp solar output; Mbamba, also in Yola South Local Government Area, with 2,282 projected connections and 0.8 MWp capacity; and Saminaka in Fufore Local Government Area, offering 4,660 projected connections and a 2.5 MWp capacity.
