By Bala Dauda, Damaturu
The Federal Government has inaugurated 13.92 megawatt-peak (MWp) interconnected hybrid solar mini-grid projects across five locations in Yobe to improve electricity supply and stimulate economic activities in the state.
The projects located in Damaturu, Bade, Nguru and Potiskum, are being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with support from the World Bank.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening power supply, reducing energy costs and supporting commercial and residential activities in the benefiting communities. It also includes the installation of 40 distribution transformers.
The projects comprise a 1.76MWp solar installation at Waziri Ibrahim Estate in Damaturu, a 2.98MWp system in Gashua, Bade Local Government Area, a 3.20MWp installation in Nguru, as well as two projects in Potiskum—a 3.20MWp plant at Yarimaram and a 2.78MWp installation at Rugan Fulani.
Speaking at the ceremony in Damaturu, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe said the projects complemented his administration’s efforts to expand electricity access to public institutions, rural communities and educational facilities.
Buni expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting the initiative and commended the REA for its commitment to improving energy access in the state.
According to him, the projects align with the state’s development agenda by providing infrastructure that will enhance industrial growth, agricultural productivity and economic development.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the interconnected hybrid mini-grids were designed to integrate with existing distribution networks to provide reliable and affordable electricity to households, businesses and public institutions.
“We are not merely connecting communities to electricity. We are connecting them to opportunity. We are creating an environment where businesses can grow, young people can innovate, farmers can process more of what they produce, healthcare facilities can provide better services, and local economies can flourish,” he said.
Aliyu said the projects were the outcome of a strategic partnership between the REA and the Yobe State Government.
He recalled that both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 26, 2025, following the REA-Yobe State Strategic Roundtable held under the theme, “Powering Yobe, Powering Growth: Unlocking Energy Access for Agriculture, Innovation, and Local Investment.”
According to him, the agreement was aimed at accelerating electricity access, attracting private sector investment and unlocking the state’s economic potential.
Aliyu disclosed that, in addition to the 13.92MWp projects, the agency had 14 other electricity projects in the pipeline across Yobe with a combined capacity of 15.3MWp.
He said the projects were expected to provide about 23,870 new electricity connections.
The REA boss listed the benefiting communities as Jawur Katamma, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, Dibbwol, Dogonkuka, Malori, Turmi, Zangaya, Dole and Falimaran.
He added that supplementary interconnected mini-grid projects would also be implemented in Gashua, Nguru, Rugan Fulani, Waziri Ibrahim Estate and Yarimaram with a combined capacity of 13.6MW.
Aliyu said the Yobe projects formed part of the Federal Government’s broader rural electrification programme, following similar groundbreaking ceremonies for mini-grid projects in Egume, Kogi State; Pankshin, Plateau State; Ogu-Bolo, Rivers State; Kofare, Adamawa State; and Ambursa, Kebbi State.