FG Commissions 581kWp Mini-Grid Project In Kwara Community

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has commissioned a 581kWp interconnected solar mini-grid project in Oke-Oyi Community, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, under the Rural Electrification Fund–Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme (REF-IMAS) of the Rural Electrification Agency.

The project, developed by Nayo Tropical Technologies Limited, with support from the German Cooperation and the European Union through GIZ, is designed to expand access to reliable electricity while supporting economic activities and improving livelihoods in Oke-Oyi community.

The project has a total installed capacity of 581kWp, comprising 1,336 solar panels and 84 batteries, with approximately 10 kilometres of distribution cables and transformers supporting the electricity distribution network.

The project would serve a community with an estimated population of 13,000 people, with electricity connections extended to residential and productive users.
The intervention is already contributing to increased economic activities in Oke-Oyi, with new businesses emerging following the availability of improved electricity supply.

These include 12 welding businesses, two pure water companies, four grain mills, four aluminium artisan businesses, one ice-block production business and one cold-room/ice-fish depot. Three electricity vendors are also currently operating, with three additional vendors, including a female entrepreneur, expected to be registered.

The construction phase of the project also provided employment opportunities for members of the community through the engagement of painters, welders, bricklayers, iron benders, tilers, plumbers, borehole diggers and excavation laborers.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented at the event by Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Salihu Yakub Danladi, welcomed the intervention and noted the importance of reliable electricity to economic activities and community development.

He said: “For Kwara State, every intervention that expands reliable electricity access to our communities is an important step towards creating a more conducive environment for enterprise, employment and improved livelihoods.

“We appreciate the Federal Government, REA and all development and private-sector partners for this investment in Oke-Oyi and look forward to its continued contribution to the development of the community.”

The Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, said the commissioning reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding electricity access and ensuring that energy investments translate into improved livelihoods and economic opportunities.

He added: “The purpose of electrification is ultimately to improve lives and create opportunities. What we are commissioning today in Oke-Oyi is an investment in the productive capacity of the community.

“When electricity enables a welder to expand his business, a grain miller to operate more efficiently or a new enterprise to emerge, we are seeing the direct connection between energy access and economic development.”

The Minister further emphasised the importance of sustaining completed electricity infrastructure and ensuring that the benefits of such investments are maintained over the long term.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the Oke-Oyi project demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to deploying electricity infrastructure that delivers tangible economic value to communities.

He said: “The real measure of an electrification project is not only the infrastructure we commission, but the opportunities that reliable electricity creates for the people who use it. In Oke-Oyi, we are already seeing new businesses emerge, productive activities expand and livelihoods being supported. This is precisely the kind of impact we seek to achieve through the Rural Electrification Agency and our partnership with the private sector and development partners.”

He added that the sustainability of the investment would remain an important consideration beyond commissioning, noting that communities, developers and other stakeholders all have a role to play in protecting and maximizing the value of the infrastructure.

The Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, Dr Karin Jansen, also speaking at the ceremony, highlighted the importance of strong partnerships in advancing sustainable energy access in Nigeria, commending the Federal Ministry of Power, REA, the Kwara State Government, IBEDC, Nayo Tropical Technology, the EU, GIZ and the Oke-Oyi community for their contributions to the project.

She noted that the interconnected mini-grid demonstrates how partnerships between the public sector, development partners and private-sector developers can deliver practical and sustainable energy solutions for underserved communities.

She added: “Today is more than connecting a community to electricity; it is about demonstrating what is possible when government, development partners, utilities, private-sector developers and communities work together towards a common objective. We hope that the experience gained through this project will provide useful lessons for future interconnected mini-grids and other distributed energy solutions across Nigeria.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) said the Oke-Oyi project demonstrates the value of collaboration between distribution companies, REA, private-sector developers and development partners in expanding reliable electricity access to communities.

“The successful integration of the Oke-Oyi interconnected mini-grid into the distribution network demonstrates what can be achieved when key stakeholders work together to improve electricity supply. This project will provide customers in the community with greater access to reliable electricity while supporting businesses and productive activities.

“IBEDC remains committed to working with REA and other partners to ensure that the benefits of this investment are sustained and translated into improved electricity services for the people of Oke-Oyi.”
The Community Leader of Oke-Oyi expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, REA and development partners for bringing the project to the community, while assuring stakeholders of the community’s commitment to protecting the infrastructure.

“Today is a day of joy for the people of Oke-Oyi. We have longed for reliable electricity to improve our lives and economic activities, and we are already seeing new businesses emerge in our community. On behalf of our people, we assure all stakeholders of our full cooperation in protecting this project and ensuring that it continues to serve our community.”

The commissioning ceremony brought together representatives of the Federal and Kwara State Governments, the Rural Electrification Agency, development partners, the project developer, electricity distribution stakeholders, the Ilorin East Local Government Area, community leaders and residents.

The Oke-Oyi project forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts, through REA, to expand electricity access to unserved and underserved communities and promote the use of renewable energy solutions to support economic and social development.
About the Rural Electrification Agency.

The Rural Electrification Agency is the implementing agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the Federal Ministry of Power, mandated to provide electricity access to unserved and underserved communities across the country.

ABUJA — The legal controversy surrounding members of Courses 18, 19 and 20 (Force Entrants) of the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano, has taken a fresh turn at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, with the Court granting an interim injunction pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summons challenging the implementation of their proposed reinstatement.

The proceedings are not an attempt to review or overturn the judgment of the Court of Appeal. Rather, they seek judicial interpretation and determination of the legal consequences of existing judgments and the applicable statutory provisions governing the service, retirement and entitlement of the affected police officers.

The case was instituted by Advocacy for Human Rights and Cultural Values Development Initiatives in Suit No. NICN/KN/51/2026, before Honourable Justice Buhari Sani.

The Applicant approached the Court following steps taken by the relevant police authorities towards implementing the decision to reinstate members of Courses 18, 19 and 20 (Force Entrants), including a directive requiring the affected officers to report for a six-month induction course.

The Applicant’s case is that the proposed implementation raises substantial questions of law requiring judicial determination, particularly concerning the interpretation of the previous judgments on the date of first appointment of the affected Force Entrants and the application of the statutory provisions governing the duration of service and retirement of police officers.

Central to the dispute is Section 18(8) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which provides that every police officer shall, upon recruitment or appointment, serve in the Nigeria Police Force for 35 years or until attaining 60 years of age, whichever occurs earlier. The provision has also been considered by the National Industrial Court alongside Rule 020908(i) and (ii) of the Public Service Rules, which provides for compulsory retirement upon attaining 60 years of age or completing 35 years of pensionable service, whichever occurs earlier. (nicnadr.gov.ng)

The Applicant contends that these provisions require proper interpretation in determining whether officers who have either completed the applicable period of service or attained the statutory retirement age can lawfully remain in service or continue to receive salaries and other emoluments from public funds.

The proceedings also raise questions concerning the interaction between the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the Public Service Rules, the Pension Reform Act, 2014, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly in relation to retirement, pensionable service and the payment of public funds to officers who may have reached the applicable statutory retirement threshold.

The Applicant further contends that the Court must determine the legal implications of any attempt to treat the previous service of the affected officers as part of their present pensionable service, particularly where the previous judgments concerning their dates of first appointment have already been implemented.

The need for judicial clarification became more pronounced because the reinstatement process was already being put into effect before the substantive questions raised in the Originating Summons had been finally determined.

In a ruling delivered on September 22, 2026, Justice Buhari Sani considered the application, the affidavit evidence and the written address filed on behalf of the Applicant by its counsel, Hamza N. Dantani, Esq.

The Court found that the substantive proceedings raised serious questions requiring determination, including the interpretation of the applicable provisions of the Nigeria Police Act and Public Service Rules and the legal consequences of the existing judgments concerning the affected officers.

The Court also considered the fact that the reinstatement process was already underway and that the affected officers had reportedly been directed to commence a six-month induction programme.

Against that background, the Court granted an interim injunction pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summons, thereby preserving the subject matter of the proceedings while the substantive legal questions remain before the Court.

The order restrains the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission, including their officers, servants, agents and privies, from implementing, giving effect to or enforcing the decision approving the reinstatement of the affected members of Courses 18, 19 and 20 (Force Entrants) pending the determination of the substantive proceedings.

The Court also directed the parties to maintain the status quo that existed immediately before the decision to reinstate the affected officers.

The significance of the order is that the Court is not, at this stage, finally determining whether the affected officers are entitled to remain in service. Rather, the order preserves the existing position so that the Court can first determine the substantive legal questions raised before it.

Those questions include the proper interpretation of Section 18(8) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, Rule 020908(i) and (ii) of the Public Service Rules, the relevant provisions of the Pension Reform Act, 2014, the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and other applicable regulations governing the Nigeria Police Force.

The proceedings also raise the broader question of whether an officer who has already attained the applicable statutory retirement threshold of 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever occurs earlier, can lawfully continue in active service and receive salary and other emoluments from public funds.

The issue of the date of first appointment is particularly significant in the dispute involving the Force Entrants.

In an earlier judgment delivered by the National Industrial Court in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/28/2025, involving members of Courses 18, 19 and 20, the Court considered the previous judgments in NICN/ABJ/345/2019 and NICN/ABJ/353/2019 concerning the dates of first appointment of the affected Cadet Officers.

The Court held, among other things, that the Police Service Commission could not reopen or alter the dates of first appointment already determined by the earlier judgments. It also set aside the Commission’s January 31, 2025 directive insofar as it affected the members of Courses 18, 19 and 20 (Force Entrants). (nicnadr.gov.ng)

The earlier judgment further declared that members of the affected courses who had neither completed 35 years of pensionable service nor attained 60 years of age were excluded from the retirement decision then under consideration. (nicnadr.gov.ng)

The matter subsequently went before the Court of Appeal. Reports of the appellate decision indicate that the Court of Appeal in April 2026 upheld the earlier decision of the National Industrial Court concerning the reinstatement of the affected officers. (Businessday NG)

The present proceedings therefore arise against that background.

The Applicant maintains that it is not asking the National Industrial Court to sit on appeal over the Court of Appeal or to review the appellate judgment. Rather, the Originating Summons seeks a determination of the legal interpretation, application and consequences of the existing judicial decisions and statutory provisions in the circumstances of the affected officers.

The Court has consequently preserved the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summons.

The matter has been adjourned until September 30, 2026, for further proceedings.

The substantive determination is expected to clarify the legal relationship between the existing judgments concerning the affected Force Entrants, their dates of first appointment, the statutory retirement framework and the implementation of the decision to reinstate them.

Until the Originating Summons is finally determined, the interim order remains directed at preserving the subject matter of the litigation and preventing steps that could potentially render the substantive proceedings nugatory.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

A socio-political group for the realisation of the political ambition of the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi (SYD), under the aegis of Dahiri Omo Ilorin, has
engaged eminent sons and daughters of Ilorin, with participants pledging their unwavering support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hon Danladi is the gubernatorial candidate for the All progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Dubbed “Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Chat with SYD”, the colourful event was themed, “One Ilorin, One Voice: Unity, Development, and the Future of Kwara”, and attracted top officials of government, political gladiators, Ilorin high ranking chiefs and kingmakers, community and religious leaders, and various support groups.

The big State Banquet Hall, in Ilorin, venue of the event, was filled to its capacity with a mammoth crowd, who were intermittently entertained with cultural songs.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who is the group’s Grand Patron was represented by his Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, while the APC Deputy Gubernatorial candidate, Hon Seun Ogunniyi ADATO stood in for Rt. Hon Danladi.

Top attendees included Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muh’d Bashir Dasuki Imam Fulani; Magaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Shuaib Aremu Zubair; Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Usman Atolagbe Jos; Balogun Ajikobi of Ilorin, Alhaji Suleiman Abdulwahab; Baba Isalẹ of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Sidiq; among other high chiefs.

Also present were members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, led by Majority Leader, Barr. Abdulkadir Oba Magaji; Grand Matron of the group, Hon. Mariam Yusuf Aladi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Alhaji Bashir Adigun; Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam) Alhaji Ibrahim Danmeigoro; Chairman, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa; State APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi, who was represented by the APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Babatunde Abdulwaheed; Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman Sai Kai; Chief of Staff at the Federal Ministry of Youth, Mall Muhammed Funsho Abdullahi; and General Manager, Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASIP), Dr Abdulwasiu Tejidini.

Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Dazuki, who offered the opening prayer, beseeched Allah to continue to guide the Governor aright and accord him a success of tenure.

He equally prayed for the success of the Governor’s Senatorial ambition and other candidates of the party, as well as for the continual peace, unity and development of the Emirate and the entire Kwara.

Speaking through his aide, Salau, the Governor called the gathering another testament of love and support of the people of the Emirate for the APC-led government in the state, thanking the participants for their large turnout.

He said the candidacy of Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi is divine and has enjoyed royal blessings and a wide endorsement of people across the state.

“This gathering shows that Ilorin indigenes are united for good, and are solidly behind our administration. Our father, the Emir of Ilorin, has always thanked the Almighty God for answering his fervent prayers in the ascension of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as Governor of Kwara. State,” he said.

Hon Ogunniyi ADATO, who spoke for Danladi, appreciated the organizer, Dahiri Omo Ilorin and the people of the Emirate for their genuine love and undiluted support for the APC gubernatorial candidate.

He promised to prioritize the general well-being of the citizens and build on the good legacies of Governor AbdulRazaq when elected.

Prince Fagbemi, in his comment, said Governor AbdulRazaq is a true son of Ilorin Emirate and has done exceedingly well for the state, expressing confidence that Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi will strive to surpass his achievements when given the mandate.

“One good turn deserves another. We should ensure that our vote in Kwara Central helps our Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to win as Senator in the 2027 general elections. We should equally vote for SYD and other candidates of our party. They will not let you down,” Fagbemi said through the Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Babatunde Abdulwaheed who represented him.

Coordinator, Dahiri Omo Ilorin for SYD, Mall Abdulmajeed Arikewuyo Abdulfatai, for his part, said Danladi’s candidacy from the northern region of the state represents equity, fairness, and justice.

He said they have consulted widely especially across the nooks and crannies of Ilorin and realized that
the people of the Emirate “want unity, fairness and a future where everyone feels carried along.”

“The emergence of SYD from Kwara North has opened another chapter in our conversation about balance, inclusion and giving every part of Kwara a sense of belonging,” he said.

“We are not gathered here to create a division between Kwara Central, North or South. We are here to build bridges.”

Highlight of the occasion was the decoration of Governor AbdulRazaq and Hon Mariam Aladi as the Grand Patron and Matron of the support group.