Bago Calls on Investors to Prioritise Local Renewable Energy Solutions

Mohammed-Umaru Bago, the governor of Niger State, has stressed the need for local renewable energy production to strengthen Nigeria’s energy access. 

He stated this during a state-by-state roundtable organised by the Rural Electrification Agency in Abuja. 

The state governor called for the domestic manufacture of solar panels and batteries in the country, adding that producing these technologies locally could create job opportunities, reduce costs, and build a sustainable, renewable energy supply chain in Nigeria.

The governor also spoke on his administration’s efforts in transitioning hospitals, schools, and government offices into green facilities. He claimed that his state established the country’s first sub-national Green and Blue Economy Agency, which is staffed with climate finance and sustainability experts. He explained that the agency seeks to improve long-term institutional resilience rather than reliance on individuals.

Bago urged Nigerian firms and foreign investors to establish factories for solar panels and battery production. He emphasised that local production reduces dependence on imports and creates a more self-reliant energy sector. 

“You don’t need to import solar cells from China. Local factories can serve both domestic and regional demand,” he said. The governor added that true sustainability requires resilient systems that endure beyond political or personal cycles.

He also linked renewable energy deployment to economic activity. Infrastructure alone cannot succeed without livelihoods. People must produce goods and services to afford energy, healthcare, housing, and education. Niger State has already allocated over 100,000 hectares of land for agriculture and housing under its development programme. Governor Bago explained that production generates revenue, which then supports sustainability across multiple sectors.

Governor Bago noted that promoting local renewable energy production is essential not only for sustainability but also for economic empowerment. He stressed that when communities produce locally, they can naturally support green energy initiatives, ensuring long-term success for the renewable energy transition in Nigeria.