- Says state has huge Silicon, Lithium deposit
- Partners REA to power 69,337 households, unlock $27bn in GDP
Niger State governor, Mohammed Umar Bago has extended an invitation to renewable energy investors to come invest in the state.
Bago said the state has the potential to be the renewable energy hub of Nigeria with its huge deposit of lithium and silicon – essential natural resources needed for the production of batteries and solar cells.
He said the state is currently partnering with the Rural Electrification Agency to power 69,337 households, using renewable energy while also unlocking $27bn in GDP.
He therefore urged global renewable energy manufacturers to take advantage of the huge deposit by setting up their companies in the state.
In addition, he assured them of zero tax in their first five years.
Speaking in Abuja at a roundtable on making renewable power viable in Niger State and Nigeria, Bago said: “We have the highest level of silicon in Niger State… To make solar cells, you don’t even have to bring them from China. The Chinese company can come and set up. No tax.”
On batteries, he said: “We also have the largest concentration of lithium in Nigeria, with copper, zinc, manganese—and these things are ingredients needed for batteries.”
Gov Bago noted that Niger State is collaborating with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to provide electricity to the state’s unserved and underserved communities.
He highlighted REA’s projects in the state, including a 5.5 megawatt solar plant with 7.5 megawatt-hour battery storage, which ended vandalism that once plagued the lines to IBB University in Lapai.
“When I came in as a governor, there was a cartel of people who did diesel. Every time the power lines supplying electricity to IBB University, Lapai, about 70 kilometres from Minna, were brought down, it was in the name of rain, wind, or vandalism. Now, with REA and TETFund, it’s over,” Bago stated, noting its benefits for the university expansion with more hostels and security jobs.
The governor stressed the need to put in place resilient institutions, infrastructure, and policy sincerity as ways of building sustainability.
“It is time that we build sustainability,” he said, warning that past Nigerian efforts had eroded due to weak foundations.
He explained, “Sustainability means how it can continue after me? You have to build resilient institutions.” The governor linked renewables to livelihoods, citing the state’s allocation of 100,000 hectares under the Sustainable Integrated Productive Community (SIPC) Initiative for housing and agriculture.
“You build houses for people, you want to create mortgages, they don’t have a livelihood, and they can’t pay. You deploy renewable energy, they consume power, they can’t pay,” he cautioned. “But when these people can generate revenue, to add value that means there is production. And when there is production, there is sustainability.”
The REA managing director, Dr Abba Aliyu, highlighted that 77 mini-grid sites are already underway in Niger State, injecting 20MW to connect 69,337 households—an unprecedented scale. He shared geospatial data on 3,564 off-grid communities serving 1.5 million people, projecting that Niger could attract $1.2 billion in investment, add $27 billion to GDP, and create 280,000 jobs.
This leverages the Electricity Act 2023 and REA’s $1.2 billion funding pool (plus $2.6 billion pipeline) from President Tinubu’s $750 million global program for 17.5 million Nigerians.
Recent feats include a 990 kWp mini-grid in Lambata, powering 3,900 homes, and scaling to 1.5MW.
Also speaking, the state commissioner, Ministry of Investment, Hon. Aminu Suleiman Takuma, highlighted specific tax incentives for renewable energy manufacturers and power generation projects.
He stated that investors in power generation would enjoy up to 5 years of pioneer status, along with 0% incentives for new opportunities in renewable energy equipment, machinery, and components.
