The Honorable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has visited Bagaja Renewables’ Zawaciki 1MWp interconnected mini-grid, which supplies electricity to the Gida Dubu community in Zawaciki, Kano State. This visit comes amidst a prolonged power outage across Northern Nigeria, highlighting the importance of reliable and decentralized power solutions.

During his visit, Minister Adelabu expressed admiration for the project, recognizing Zawaciki as a vital proof of concept for interconnected mini-grids across Nigeria. “Zawaciki stands as a model for what is possible when the private sector leads with innovative solutions to our energy challenges,” said Sadiq Zakari, Managing Director of Bagaja Renewables.

The MD Bagaja renewable welcoming the minister

Zakari added that the Zawaciki mini-grid has been invaluable during the crisis, providing at least nine hours of daytime electricity to residents, underscoring the potential of renewable energy in enhancing energy resilience and community support. He emphasized the role of policy support and stakeholder involvement in making renewable energy solutions the backbone of a resilient energy future for Nigeria.

Adelabu called on state governors and other stakeholders to support such initiatives, which are pivotal in decentralizing and strengthening the national power infrastructure. By backing renewable energy projects, stakeholders can reduce reliance on the national grid and ensure a stable, sustainable power supply for local communities.

In addition to Zawaciki, Bagaja Renewables is working on several new projects aimed at expanding renewable energy access across Northern Nigeria. These include Barhim Estate in Katsina, Kura-Karfi Commercial Cluster in Kano, and Kafin Hausa in Jigawa, which are designed to provide sustainable power to homes, support local businesses, and enhance economic development.

Bagaja Renewables’ commitment to a decentralized, renewable-powered energy future for Northern Nigeria is reflected in these projects. The company remains dedicated to collaborating with government entities and stakeholders to scale up sustainable energy solutions that benefit communities, industries, and essential services.

Bagaja Renewables has partnered with key organizations such as KEDCO, the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) under the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to accelerate access to clean energy in Nigeria, particularly in underserved regions.

Bagaja Renewables is a leading renewable energy company focused on delivering sustainable power solutions to underserved communities in Nigeria. With a portfolio that includes solar mini-grids and other renewable energy projects, Bagaja Renewables is committed to accelerating Nigeria’s transition to a clean, resilient, and inclusive energy future.

Reactions have continued to trail the recent cabinet reshuffle which replaced Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development with former lawmaker Yusuf Abdullahi Ata.

The removal of Gwarzo, a loyal supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since 2006, has sent shockwaves in the state, stirring reactions among citizens and party chieftains.

Ibrahim Danyaro, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, expressed his dismay over Gwarzo’s dismissal.

“I was shocked when I heard that Gwarzo was among the dismissed ministers. He has shown loyalty; I don’t understand what criteria labelled him as ineffective. It’s a big mistake for the APC, considering his record.”

On her part, Ladidi Yau, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and former Women Leader of Tarauni Local Government described Gwarzo as a politician of note who should not be taken for granted.

“He always picks up calls and responds to text messages. He has always been accessible to party men and women. This alone earns him our respect. The President should reconsider him,” she said.

Political commentator, Adnan Mukhtar, described the sacking of Gwarzo as a political blunder by the President, calling it a misstep influenced by local rivals.

“The President was misled by someone claiming influence over state politics. This is a serious mistake and an affront to Kano. The state deserves an additional ministerial slot, not a reduction—especially when the person affected is a devoted supporter of the President’s agenda,” Gentile said.

On his part, Alhassan Kura described the reshuffling as a miscalculation that would hunt the party sooner or later

“I don’t think we are ready for 2027, if you say you remove Gwarzo to bring someone from the Kano Central why not a better candidate? We have a former Deputy Governor and gubernatorial candidate in 2023, we have Bashir Lado, Inuwa Waya and many more. Why Ata who even worked against the President in 2023?” he queried.

To enhance its environmental sustainability initiatives in line with global best practices, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), has embarked on a restoration project of planting 10,000 mangrove trees across coastal states in Nigeria.

The project, in partnership with Eco-Restoration Foundation, kickstarted at Akodo-Ise, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, was aimed at minimising the global effects of climate change, by promoting restoration, conservation and protection of mangrove trees across Nigeria.

In his remarks at the event, the DIL Vice-President, Oil and Gas, Mr. Devakumar Edwin revealed that “one of the primary reasons of the Dangote Group is to ensure that Nigeria keeps providing employment and lifting the people out of poverty through sustainability projects.

“We are also committed to creating good climate scenarios where people can live long and their livelihoods cannot be taken away from them. Apart from absorbing more carbon from the atmosphere than other tree species, Mangrove Forests serve as vital buffers against coastal erosion, and are critical for preserving marine biodiversity and supporting millions of coastal dwellers whose livelihoods depend on healthy mangrove forests,” he said.

Speaking after the flag-off of the tree planting exercise, the Group Chief HSSE and Sustainability, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. James Adenuga, expressed excitement at the importance of this partnership and its alignment with the organisation’s focus on the sustainable development of Nigeria and Africa, with long term carbon offset targets.

“Environmental sustainability is one of the seven Sustainability Pillars of the Dangote Group, and  preservation of the environment is one of our core priorities wherever we operate. We are glad to embark on this project”, Adenuga added.

Speaking earlier during the tree planting exercise, a trustee of Eco-Restoration Foundation, Prince David Omaghomi, stated that the foundation “was more than thrilled to welcome Dangote Group as our largest corporate partner of the Eco-Park Mangrove Sanctuary & Research Centre to date.

He explained further that Nigeria has lost 60 per cent of the mangrove population, adding that Nigeria coastal line is at risk of going underwater in years to come if nothing is done.

This project is meant to promote mangrove restoration, conservation, and protection. Nigeria has lost 60 per cent of its mangrove forests. More ocean acidification will be expected in Nigeria due to climate change and rising sea level. In the next 100 years, the coastal lines in Nigeria will be covered by water. The great blue wall will run across the coast of Nigeria by using mangroves.

“We are happy to receive the Dangote Group here and with their brand being blue they are the blue Big Brother of Africa. Their (Dangote’s) pledge to plant 10,000 mangroves in phases over the next few months, underscores their commitment to environmental stewardship and resilience building along Nigeria’s coasts.

With their continued support, we are confident that this project will spark a wave of community-based restoration activities all along Nigeria’s coastline, in line with our persistent calls for the commencement of the ‘Great Blue Wall of Africa’ built of mangrove forests – as a natural defense against rising sea levels and climate change.

“Without immediate action, our multi-billion-dollar industrial complexes, Sea Ports, Oil & Gas facilities, Tourism and entire Blue Economy will be exposed to the relentless advance of ocean acidification in the coming decades,” he observed.

The tree planting exercise, which drew volunteer staff from Dangote Head Office, Falomo Ikoyi, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, and other units, drew widespread commendation from the Onise of Akodo-Ise, Oba Ganiu Adebowale Adegbesan, senior officials of the Lagos State Government, and members of the Akodo-Ise community, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.