In a renewed push to stabilise and expand Nigeria's energy supply, the Federal Government has announced major initiatives aimed at boosting electricity generation and distribution in the northern region. Speaking at a two-day retreat hosted by the … Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader FG to light up northern Nigeria with new power initiatives By Olamide Adedara on May 29, 2025 In a renewed push to stabilise and expand Nigeria's energy supply, the Federal Government has announced major initiatives aimed at boosting electricity generation and distribution in the northern region. Speaking at a two-day retreat hosted by the Senate Committee on Power, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu outlined a multi-pronged strategy involving key infrastructure projects and private sector collaboration to tackle persistent power deficits in the region. Adelabu revealed that the government plans to accelerate the development of the Makurdi Hydropower Project, which has a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, describing it as a game-changer for the region's energy outlook. "We're working to bring the Makurdi hydropower project to life. At 1,000 MW, it's one of the largest in the pipeline and a cornerstone of our northern power strategy," he said. In addition, the long-abandoned Kaduna Thermal Plant, which is 87% complete and capable of generating 215 megawatts, is set for revitalisation. "We're taking concrete steps to reactivate the Kaduna plant, which has remained dormant for over five years," Adelabu added. He also disclosed that the Katsina Wind Farm, with an installed capacity of 10 megawatts, may soon be revived through a public-private partnership. "The state government has expressed interest in taking over the facility alongside private investors. We've commissioned a fresh feasibility study as part of plans to concession the project," he noted. In a related development, the minister announced the imminent delivery of 200,000 prepaid meters, as part of efforts to bridge Nigeria's estimated seven million meter deficit—a critical issue he said contributes to revenue leakages and public distrust in the electricity sector. He emphasised that the government's newly launched ₦700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative, along with a World Bank-supported program, aims to roll out 4.3 million meters by the end of the year. Read also, FG to light up northern Nigeria with new power initiatives FG targets industrial skills with new summit APPLY NOW: Video and Graphics Editor APPLY NOW: HR Assistant APPLY NOW: Sales Manager "So far, 75,000 meters were deployed in April, and another 200,000 units are expected this May. This is a vital step toward fair billing, cost recovery, and improved service delivery," he said. The minister also highlighted broader reforms designed to modernise grid infrastructure and attract private sector investment. Key among them is a plan to regionalise the transmission network, reducing the risk of nationwide grid failures by decentralising operations. Adelabu noted that better infrastructure in Lagos has led to higher remittance rates from the region's two power distribution companies, contrasting with the performance of northern Discos, which face significant operational and infrastructure deficits. "This disparity highlights the urgent need for targeted infrastructure investment in the North. Our aim is a more balanced and resilient national power grid," he said.

SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS © 2025. Unsubscribe or manage your email subscriptions. Get the Jetpack app Subscribe, bookmark, and get real‑time notifications - all from one app! Automattic, Inc. 60 29th St. #343, San Francisco, CA 94110

In a decisive step toward repositioning Nigeria's industrial landscape, the Federal Government has inaugurated a seven-member planning committee for the maiden edition of the National Industrial Manpower Development Summit. Speaking at the inaugura… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader FG targets industrial skills with new summit By Olamide Adedara on May 29, 2025 In a decisive step toward repositioning Nigeria's industrial landscape, the Federal Government has inaugurated a seven-member planning committee for the maiden edition of the National Industrial Manpower Development Summit. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, described the summit as a strategic initiative aimed at making Nigeria's industrial development people-centered, skills-driven, and globally competitive. "This summit is not just another event on the calendar," the minister said. "It is a bold statement of intent—to anchor our industrial growth on human capital development and to unlock the full potential of Nigeria's workforce as the engine of economic transformation." According to a statement released by the Ministry on Wednesday, the summit is envisioned as a platform that brings together key stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and development partners to reimagine the country's industrial skills framework. Enoh emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes industrialisation as a core pillar of national development. "The President firmly believes that people are the most valuable infrastructure of any nation," he said. "That's why the administration is investing significantly in skills acquisition, vocational training, and workforce modernization across all regions." Read also, FG targets industrial skills with new summit APPLY NOW: Video and Graphics Editor APPLY NOW: HR Assistant APPLY NOW: Sales Manager Why continuous learning is the new job security Also speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Adamson Ayinde, underscored the urgency of strategic manpower planning to support the country's economic transition. "As Nigeria seeks to diversify away from oil dependency, a skilled, adaptable, and innovative workforce is essential to making the industrial sector a sustainable growth engine," Ayinde said. He added that the summit will serve as a platform to assess the current manpower landscape, identify skill gaps, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, and promote innovation. Ayinde outlined the committee's mandate, which includes developing a comprehensive summit agenda, coordinating stakeholder engagement, mobilising resources, overseeing logistics, and ensuring effective implementation of post-summit outcomes. Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Oluwatoyin Ogun, commended the initiative as timely and aligned with ITF's current programs, particularly the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) initiative, which is focused on retraining Nigerian artisans to meet global standards. "We are fully committed to this vision," Ogun said. "The ITF has a presidential mandate to elevate the competence of Nigerian artisans, and this summit is a critical step in that direction." He called on stakeholders across sectors to rally behind the summit and contribute to building a workforce that can power Nigeria's industrial aspirations.

SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS © 2025. Unsubscribe or manage your email subscriptions. Get the Jetpack app Subscribe, bookmark, and get real‑time notifications - all from one app! Automattic, Inc. 60 29th St. #343, San Francisco, CA 94110