1GW Northern Electrification Project Advances as PICTT Chairman, Power Minister Review Implementation Framework

The Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee for Technology Transfer (PICTT), Dr. Dahiru Muhammed, held a strategic meeting with the Honourable Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, to review progress on the Sun Africa Power Project and the proposed 1GW Northern Electrification Project, a landmark renewable energy initiative expected to transform electricity supply across Northern Nigeria.

The meeting comes on the heels of the approval by the Northern Governors for the establishment of the Northern Nigeria Electrification Company (NNEC) as the region’s dedicated renewable energy company. With its registration now completed, NNEC will serve as the special purpose vehicle responsible for implementing the project.

The initiative, financed by the US EXIM Bank with the support of the United States Government, is expected to deliver up to 1,000MW of utility-scale solar generation capacity, complemented by a 500MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), across participating Northern States.

During the meeting, Dr. Muhammed and the Minister reviewed key aspects of the project’s implementation, including its institutional structure and governance framework. Discussions centred on measures to ensure transparency and accountability, insulate the initiative from political interference, protect investor confidence, and guarantee the sustainability of financing and repayment obligations throughout the project’s lifecycle.

As part of the next phase of implementation, a memorandum on the project will be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration and approval before full execution commences.

Speaking after the meeting, Dr. Muhammed expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the leadership that has made the project possible. He described the initiative as a transformational investment that aligns with the administration’s commitment to expanding energy access, driving industrialisation, and unlocking the vast economic potential of Northern Nigeria.

He noted that the 1GW Northern Electrification Project is expected to provide a reliable energy foundation for industries, businesses, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and communities across the region, while stimulating investment, creating jobs, and accelerating socio-economic development.

Dr. Muhammed reaffirmed the commitment of PICTT and all stakeholders to ensuring the successful delivery of the project, describing it as a defining step towards building a more energy-secure, economically competitive, and self-reliant Northern Nigeria.