Following the signing of multiple MoUs with Moroccan investor’s proposal brought in a few weeks ago to the state and organizations like Tony...
.jpg)
Following the signing of multiple MoUs with Moroccan investor’s proposal brought in a few weeks ago to the state and organizations like Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) brought in last year 2024 attracting a $23.5 million investment aimed at reforming the state's energy sector. The initiative with TBI, conceptualized under the Governor's Initiative to Energize the Economy of Kano State (GEEKS), focuses on enhancing energy supply to stimulate industrialization and bolster core economic sectors, these are sustainable investment inflows that shall require more than goodwill—they demand credible, enforceable, and investor-friendly state frameworks.
In the
other hand, the move by the Kano State House of Assembly to create an
electricity regulatory agency (Daily Post Nigeria, April 28, 2025) aligns
perfectly with this vision. Without a functional regulatory and investment
promotion framework, delays caused by political transitions, bureaucratic
hurdles among Kano state ministries and agencies (MDAs), and policy reversals
could derail these opportunities.
Moreover,
the April 28, 2025 Punch report highlights the devastating effects of poor
electricity safety enforcement nationwide, reinforcing the need for Kano to
adopt strict technical and safety standards as part of its regulatory evolution
to support the sustainability of
renewable energy projects in the state.
Key Suggestions to Strengthen the
Investment Climate:
- Finalize and Implement the Kano State Electricity Laws aimed at
- Creating Kano State Electricity Regulatory Commission: Equip it with mandates for
licensing, safety enforcement, tariff setting, and investment promotion
and
- Kano State
Electricity Market with reforms such as Solar and Renewable Energy for
Electricity Installation Safety Bill
that will
mandate technical and safety standards for all renewable energy
installations, particularly in public institutions such as markets
(e.g., Kantin Kwari, Sabon Gari, Dawanau), hospitals, and schools.
- Institutional Assignments: Assign regulatory roles
either to the upcoming Kano State Electricity Regulatory Commission or
create a dedicated unit within the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy.
- Speed up State Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and
Investment Programs:
Avoid bureaucratic delays by streamlining approval processes and
minimizing administrative bottlenecks.
- Speed up to avoid eminent Political volatility and
Transitions that can bring policy reversals
- Human Capital Development: Emphasize training and
certification of local technical personnel to support foreign investors,
ensuring high standards of operation.
- Institutional Innovation: Beyond traditional divisions,
the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy should establish a Strategy,
Policy, Sustainability, and Outreach (SPSO) Directorate to align with
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure technical, financial,
environmental, and social sustainability.
- Build Regional and International Partnerships: Proactively seek
collaborations with organizations, donor agencies, and technical experts
to build institutional strength and investor confidence.
Governor
Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration stands at a historical crossroad. Taking
swift, visionary actions in the electricity sector, as it is doing in water,
could catapult Kano into becoming Nigeria’s leading sub national power hub,
attract significant international investments, and improve living standards for
millions of Kano residents. In conclusion, the Kano State Government's
partnership with organization like the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
can develop a strategic move towards a sustainable and safe energy future. By
leveraging on expertise and resources, Kano is poised to not only reform its
energy sector but also set a benchmark for other states in the region
By: Engr. Dr Abdurrahman Umar Lawan
M.Eng M. Eng Electrical (BUK) PhD
(Nottingham) RE: COREN
Senior Academic, Department of Electrical Engineering, Bayero University Kano
(BUK)
Senior Fellow, Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainability Transitions, BUK
Electricity and Energy Policy Advocate and Technical Consultant.
No comments