In March 2023 President Muhammadu Buhari signed a constitutional ammendment bill into law and part of the ammendments was that states could generate, transmit and distribute electricity in places that were covered by the National Grid.
In June 2023, President Tinubu signed an ammendment to the Electricity Act into law. The new law allows states to issue licenses to companies to generate, transmit and distribute electricity within their states. The law says that the states must first enact a law to regulate electricity generation, transmission and distribution before they can take over the regulatory functions of the NERC.
The Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, CON, alongside his counterparts the Governor of Kano State, Engr. @Kyusufabba , and the Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar A. Namadi observed the Friday Jumu’ah prayer together in the Kingdom of Morocco on Friday, October 17, 2025.
Northwest governors bet N50bn on Nigeria’s first tri-state electricity market
Nigeria’s northwestern states of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa have teamed up to create the country’s first regional electricity market, pledging an initial N50 billion investment to boost power generation and expand access for millions of people across the region.
The initiative, unveiled after a weekend summit in Marrakech, Morocco, marks an unprecedented collaboration between subnational governments and private investors in Nigeria’s struggling power sector. It also signals growing regional momentum to harness opportunities created by the 2023 Electricity Act, which liberalised the sector and empowered states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity within their territories.
Under the agreement, the three states will acquire equity stakes in Future Energies Africa (FEA), the core investor in Kano Electricity Distribution Company (Kano DisCo), in a move designed to align local political and economic interests with the utility’s performance and long-term reform goals.
The deal was sealed after a electrification Summit held from October 16–19 in Marrakech, attended by the governors, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa, alongside senior government officials, energy regulators, and global consultants.
Sani Sani, head, corporate communications at Kano DisCo said Kano, Katsina and Jigawa will collaborate with Kano DisCo to reduce losses from residential consumers to allow supply to improve to citizens in the States.
“FEA and State representatives will convene annual international retreat and meet quarterly (and as required) to review progress, set direction, and strengthen ties for North-western tri-state electricity market,” Sani said.
Central to the plan is a N50 billion tri-state electrification fund, to be launched as a public-private vehicle targeting renewable energy, embedded generation, solar home systems, and mini-grids. The fund aims to catalyze rapid power access to households and small industries across the three states, home to nearly 40 million people combined.
The fund’s first phase will prioritise rural communities and industrial clusters in Kano’s Sharada and Bompai zones, Katsina’s Dutsin-Ma corridor, and Jigawa’s Gumel axis, according to people familiar with the discussions.
“This partnership is a defining step in our collective journey toward energy independence and economic transformation,” a senior official from Kano DisCo told BusinessDay. “By aligning state ownership with private investment, the tri-state model ensures that the interests of both the citizens and investors are represented.”
The plan builds on the operational turnaround strategy initiated by FEA after it took over Kano DisCo in 2022. Since then, the firm has sought to reposition the distribution company, which covers the largest franchise area in Nigeria, through technology upgrades, renewable integration, and stronger collaboration with state governments.
The partnership is expected to serve as a model for regional power markets in Nigeria. Under the Electricity Act, states can establish their own electricity markets and regulatory frameworks. By forming a joint tri-state electricity ecosystem, the three Northwest governments plan to harmonise regulations, pool investments, and jointly plan power infrastructure that cuts across state lines.
The arrangement will also enable joint regulation in areas where cooperation is beneficial such as tariffs, cross-border mini-grids, and shared generation assets.
“This is the first time we’re seeing a coordinated subnational electricity market in Nigeria,” said an industry analyst familiar with the project. “It’s a pragmatic way to achieve economies of scale in generation and distribution while ensuring that local priorities are not lost in national policy debates.”
Beyond expanding access, the governors agreed to collaborate with Kano DisCo to address one of the utility’s most persistent challenges, high energy losses from unmetered and non-paying residential customers. The partnership aims to accelerate metering rollout and community-based billing reforms that can improve revenue recovery and service reliability.
BusinessDay’s finding showed Future Energies Africa, which specializes in distributed renewable projects, will serve as both technical partner and investment coordinator for the tri-state market. The company’s executives said the Marrakech summit has established a governance framework for periodic reviews — including quarterly meetings and an annual international retreat — to assess progress and attract new investors.
“This is a long-term bet on the economic future of the Northwest,” said an FEA representative. “Our goal is to create a power ecosystem that can compete with any region in the country — anchored on renewables, strong regulation, and state participation.”
The collaboration also received backing from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, which has been pushing for subnational power markets since the enactment of the new Electricity Act.
Commissioner Akpeneye, who attended the summit, commended the states for taking initiative, noting that “regional markets like this will redefine Nigeria’s electricity future.”
Unlocking the north’s energy potential
Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa occupy a combined landmass larger than Ghana and have among the lowest per capita power consumption in Nigeria. Yet they also hold vast renewable potential, particularly in solar and wind energy.
With average daily sunshine exceeding 6.5 hours and large stretches of undeveloped land, the region could become a hub for solar farms, battery storage, and hybrid microgrids. Analysts say the tri-state fund could help unlock these opportunities by providing seed financing and risk-sharing instruments to local developers.
Beyond the technical aspects, the deal underscores a shift toward greater state ownership of Nigeria’s energy future. For years, subnational governments have complained about limited influence over power distribution companies that serve their regions. By taking direct equity stakes in FEA, the three governors are betting that local participation will drive accountability, improve service delivery, and deepen industrial competitiveness.
“This is not just about power — it’s about development, jobs, and dignity,” one participant at the summit said. “When states have skin in the game, they can no longer blame Abuja for darkness.”
Among the attendees were the speakers of Katsina and Jigawa State Assemblies, commissioners for power from Kano and Jigawa, and the attorney general of Jigawa State. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was represented by commissioner Dafe C. Akpeneye, underscoring federal support for the initiative.
Future Energies Africa was represented by its chairman, Najib J.A. Koguna, along with board members Ahmad Rufai Zakari, OON, Habib Daura Ahmed, and Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya.
Also present were Adamu Gumel, Kano DisCo chairman, and Abubakar Jimeta, its managing director. Advisory teams from DLA Piper, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and BlackAion Capital joined the discussions, lending technical and financial expertise.
Governor Radda Strengthens Regional Energy Partnership in Morocco
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the state’s power and energy sector through collaboration and innovation.
He led the Katsina delegation to a high-level strategic meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, alongside the Governors of Kano and Jigawa States, with officials from the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) and Future Energies Africa.
The discussions centered on expanding electricity access, improving grid stability, and establishing a Joint Regulatory Commission to harmonize regional energy policies and strengthen public-private partnerships.
Governor Radda emphasized Katsina’s plan to harness its vast solar and wind resources to power homes, industries, and essential sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture.
The three governors agreed to pursue coordinated investments, accelerate renewable energy deployment, and attract credible investors through transparent and investor-friendly policies.
The engagement marks a major stride in positioning Katsina as a model for subnational energy leadership and a key contributor to Nigeria’s clean energy transition and economic diversification.
Mu'azu Nass is the special adviser to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State.
Mu'azu A Nass @muazu_nass
Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa Launch Nigeria’s First Regional Power Market.
The Big Picture
Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States have decided to tackle their long standing electricity challenges together. The three northern states are forming a joint power market the first of its kind in Nigeria with an initial investment of ₦50 billion. The plan is to boost electricity generation through solar projects, mini-grids, and other renewable sources to reach more communities.
Why It Matters
Right now, the three states need about 700 megawatts of power but get barely 130 megawatts. That shortfall keeps homes, schools, factories, and farms in the dark far too often. But there’s a new opening the Electricity Act of 2023 now lets states generate and manage power on their own. Instead of waiting for the federal grid, they can take charge of their own electricity supply.
The Plan in Motion
The governors of the three states met recently in Marrakech, Morocco, where they sealed the agreement. Together, they’re partnering with Future Energies Africa (FEA) through the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) giving them not just investment power but also a real say in how energy is produced and shared.
Under the plan, expect to see:
• Solar home systems and rooftop installations to serve individual households.
• Mini-grids in remote towns that have never had steady electricity.
• Power line extensions to reach underserved areas.
• New regional regulations to make cross-border electricity sharing more efficient.
OgaRico was condemning CAF for writing in French, but all his posts have been in English. He has no defence for the fact that he is condemning others for writing in "alien languages" while he himself is writing in an alien language, so he is trying to divert attention by insulting people.
It still doesn't change the fact that he is doing what he is condemning others for doing.
Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe is the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer.
SP Bright Edafe @Brightgoldenboy
In all honesty, this is embarrassing, shameful, careless, so unprofessional and not justified at all. The Policeman has been identified, detained and will appear before the CP today.
POLICEMAN CAUGHT ON VIRAL VIDEO TAPE SHOOTING AT THE VEHICLE OF AN UNARMED CITIZEN, IDENTIFIED AND ARRESTED
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE DELTA STATE ORDERS INVESTIGATION
The Command is aware of the viral video of a policeman who shot at a moving vehicle in Asaba.
After a careful examination of the video clip, it is clear that the policemen acted in an unprofessional manner, unbecoming of a police officer.
The Command condemns his act in totality as no policeman has the right to use his firearm without recourse to Force Order 237. It is the duty of every Nigerian Police officer to protect lives and property and not to put the life of anybody in danger.
The erring Police officer has been identified, summoned and detained at the Command headquarters. The Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has directed that internal disciplinary action be initiated immediately, and at the end, the officer has been taken into custody, queried, and an investigation has commenced.
The Command wishes to reiterate that, although the Policeman was responding to a case of a hit-and-run accident, no policeman is allowed to use his firearm without justification, as stipulated in Force Order 237. The CP assures members of the public that the officer concerned will be dealt with in accordance with the extant laws as stipulated in the Police Act and regulations to serve as a deterrent to others.
The CP wishes to emphasise that protection of life and property in the State remains the priority of the Command.
SP. EDAFE BRIGHT, ANIPR, FCIA, FIPMD POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, DELTA STATE COMMAND
Nigeria played against Brazil on June 11th, 2003 in a friendly match to mark the opening of the National Stadium, Abuja. Vice President Atiku Abubakar was the special guest of honour.
It's reported that Jay Jay Okocha (captain), Ronaldinho (captain), Kanu, Javier Saviola, Mark Fish, Alex Song and Ludovic Giuly are among the players that will take part in the event.
Buhari Sallau was a spokesperson of late former president Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari Sallau @Buharisallau1
The wait is almost over! In just three days, football fans across Africa and beyond will witness one of the most thrilling charity matches ever, the Champions Cup, live at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
This unforgettable encounter will see the Barcelona Legends, captained by the football magician Ronaldinho, against the African Legends, led by our very own JayJay Okocha.
Expect world-class entertainment, electrifying atmosphere and legendary moments that will stay in the hearts forever.
🎟️ Tickets are still available! Get yours now
The historic match is presented by @AttomFoundation, @ZMBHomes and WGI
Zahra Buhari-Indimi to light up Abuja with Barcelona vs African Legends Charity Match
Tue, 21 Oct 2025
Plans have reached an advanced stage for the highly anticipated star-studded charity match which is bringing together Barcelona Legends, the famed former players of Barcelona Football Club, and a select squad of African Legends.
The exhibition match which will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja is to be hosted under the auspices of Mrs. Zahra Buhari-Indimi, daughter of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and is organized in partnership with Attom Foundation, inspired by Yahaya Attom.
Proceeds from the charity match will support the ZMB Homes Foundation, a charity that has long provided shelter and assistance to widows and orphans from across the country.
Speaking ahead of the event holding on October 25, Mrs. Buhari-Indimi expressed excitement about hosting the historic encounter, describing it as a “unique fusion of sport, charity, and continental friendship.”
She said the project aims to channel funds toward youth empowerment, maternal health, and education for underprivileged communities.
“This event is not just about football; it is about using the universal language of the game to unite people and bring hope to communities that need it most,” Buhari-Indimi remarked.
Echoing the inspiration drawn from her late father, President Muhammadu Buhari, she noted how his journey from humble beginnings to national leadership shapes the Foundation’s vision:
“Baba came from a modest background but rose to achieve so much for Nigeria. I’m committed to helping many more people with similar backgrounds realize their potential, just as my father did.”
The programme will begin with a Gala night that will also raise awareness for the ZMB Foundation and Attom Foundation.
OgaRico: And you quoting me is writing in which language, please? I saw what I feel is a problem, I made a suggestion as well but you choose to drag my comment over my view. Oya na. Write your own make you avoid my comment.
I never called English an alien language and I never complained that CAF was using a language that was not an African language. You made those statements and yet you are also using an alien language that is not an African language.
If you follow the old system that we had in Nigeria, this can serve as a training ground if Port-Harcourt hosts an international football event (the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium will be the main stadium).
Politics › Re: Kano, Katsina, And Jigawa Launch Nigeria’s First Regional Power Market by naptu2(op): 4:40am On Oct 24, 2025
