Adamawa, Kaduna Approve Land Titles for Mini-grid Projects to Power 33,262 Homes

• REA CEO: Decision sends powerful signal to investors, developers

The governments of Adamawa and Kaduna states have formally issued Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os) for key mini‑grid project sites being developed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

In a statement released from Abuja, the REA said the approvals represent a bold and commendable step toward accelerating energy access and renewable energy deployment in the two states.

The statement noted that the mini‑grid sites are being developed under the REA’s Minimum Subsidy Tender (MST) programme.

According to the agency, the approvals were granted within hours of meetings with the REA chief executive, underscoring the strong commitment of both state governments to enable infrastructure deployment, support private‑sector participation, and eliminate the administrative bottlenecks that often delay project implementation.

Speaking on the development, REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu praised both governors for their “exceptional” responsiveness and proactive leadership, adding that such decisive actions send a powerful signal to investors, developers and financing institutions about the states’ readiness to support large‑scale electrification projects.

The MST programme, the REA stressed, is a key deployment framework under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP). It is designed to accelerate electrification in pre‑selected, underserved communities with strong economic growth potential through a competitive, private‑sector‑led tender process.

Under the framework, the REA identifies, verifies and sensitises communities, while developers compete for the capital grant support required to deploy sustainable mini‑grid infrastructure.

The programme is being rolled out in phases, with the first phase prioritising over 163 sites across multiple states, including Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Kano, Niger, Ondo, Ogun, Plateau and Kebbi.

To improve operational efficiency, encourage economies of scale and strengthen long‑term sustainability, the REA said sites are packaged into state‑based lots. Collectively, the programme is expected to deploy approximately 213.436 MWp of solar PV capacity across participating communities.

“In Adamawa State, Certificates of Occupancy were issued for three major interconnected mini‑grid sites currently under development. These include Kofare in Yola South LGA, which features 19,220 projected connections and an 8.0 MWp solar capacity; Mbamba in Yola South LGA, with 2,282 projected connections and a 0.8 MWp capacity; and Saminaka in Fufore LGA, offering 4,660 projected connections and a 2.5 MWp capacity,” the REA said.

“In Kaduna State, land titles were secured for the Trapco site in Chikun LGA, which targets 3,100 projected connections with a 2.0 MWp capacity, and the Makarfi 1 site in Makarfi LGA, aiming for 4,000 projected connections with a 4.0 MWp capacity,” the REA added.

Together, the agency said the projects represent a significant expansion of interconnected renewable energy infrastructure designed to improve electricity access for underserved communities while supporting economic productivity, local enterprise development and sustainable growth.

The rapid issuance of the certificates, the REA noted, demonstrates the increasingly vital role of subnational governments in driving Nigeria’s energy transition agenda and creating enabling environments for clean energy investments.

“This development further reinforces the growing alignment between federal institutions, state governments and private‑sector stakeholders in advancing Nigeria’s broader goals of universal electricity access, increased renewable energy adoption and sustainable economic development,” it added.