The Federal Government has commenced Mini-Grid Power Projects worth over 100 million dollars in Kogi State. The initiative includes the groundbreaking of a 20-megawatt mini-grid in Egume, Dekina Local Government Area, alongside the commissioning of two additional renewable energy projects in Kogi East.
The projects were flagged off by the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, on Friday. The interventions fall under the Federal Government’s broader energy access programme implemented through the Ministry of Power and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The projects are part of efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. They are designed to expand electricity access, support rural development, and improve economic activities across communities in Kogi State.
A statement issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, confirmed the details of the rollout. It stated that the Egume 20MW project is expected to become the largest mini-grid power installation in North Central Nigeria.
Alongside the Egume project, two other mini-grid facilities were commissioned. These include a 700-kilowatt mini-grid in Offa Community, Olamaboro Local Government Area, and a 400-kilowatt mini-grid in Emewe Efopa Community, Dekina Local Government Area.
Audu said the projects were part of efforts to deliver tangible development under the current administration. “The projects also serve as a call for the people of Kogi State to come out in their numbers to vote for the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027,” he said.
He added that the Mini-Grid Power Projects under the “Light Up Kogi” initiative aim to expand electricity access across Kogi East. According to him, over 40 mini-grid projects have been secured across nine local government areas in Igala land. The minister further stated that funding support of nearly 100 million dollars had been secured in collaboration with the World Bank through the Rural Electrification Agency.
He said improved electricity access would support economic growth, healthcare delivery, education, and security. He also noted that the projects would help improve the standard of living in rural communities. The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Alhaji Abba Abubakar Aliyu, praised the initiative. He said about 29 megawatts of renewable energy projects had been attracted to Kogi State through the minister’s efforts.
According to him, nearly 20 megawatts of the installations are located in Igala land. He explained that the projects would provide reliable electricity to homes, businesses, schools, and healthcare centres. Aliyu added that the Egume project would sit on over five hectares of land and integrate with existing power infrastructure. He expressed confidence that the project would be completed within six months.
Traditional rulers and community leaders in Egume, Offa, and Emewe Efopa commended the Federal Government for the intervention.
The Ejeh of Dekina, His Royal Majesty Alhaji (Dr.) Usman Obaje, described the minister as a committed representative of the people and praised the delivery of development projects to Igala land. He also expressed support for the Federal Government’s development agenda under President Tinubu.
The Mini-Grid Power Projects are expected to improve rural electrification and stimulate small business growth across Kogi State. The initiative may also enhance public services such as education and healthcare delivery. Energy stakeholders say such decentralised power projects could reduce dependence on the national grid while improving electricity access in underserved communities.
With the launch of the Egume 20MW project and two additional mini-grids, the Federal Government has expanded its rural electrification drive in Kogi State. Authorities say more projects are expected in the coming months as implementation continues under the Renewed Hope energy framework.
