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Governor Namadi’s Visionary Investment in Kano DisCo Yielding Results

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When the Jigawa State Government announced in January 2024 that it would invest ₦4 billion into Future Energies Africa (FEA) to acquire a 2.5 percent stake in the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), many Nigerians were skeptical.

The move broke from the traditional playbook of state governments, which have long limited their involvement in the power sector to donations of transformers and short-term palliatives. But 18 months later, Governor Umar Namadi’s bet is showing clear signs of paying off, both in returns and results.

On July 7, 2025, the State Executive Council approved the second tranche payment of ₦1 billion to FEA, reinforcing Jigawa’s long-term commitment to the partnership. The investment, the first of its kind by any Nigerian state since the 2013 power sector privatisation, is already producing tangible outcomes in terms of electricity access, infrastructure upgrades, and fiscal returns.

A Strategic, Unorthodox Investment:

The context behind Jigawa’s bold move is compelling. FEA had just acquired KEDCO’s majority shareholding from Fidelity Bank after the latter placed the electricity distributor in receivership due to poor performance by the previous core investors. The opportunity was ripe for a reset, and Namadi seized it, not just to secure power supply improvements but to ensure Jigawa had a financial stake in the success of the region’s power distribution.

Crucially, the investment deal did more than buy equity. It required FEA to commit to matching, and even exceeding, Jigawa’s ₦4 billion investment with infrastructure developments targeted specifically at the state. Sources in the State House say Namadi was adamant that the funds should yield measurable returns, not just political goodwill.

Performance rebound – KEDCO Emerges as Leader:

KEDCO, which previously lagged behind its peers in operational and financial performance, has undergone a dramatic transformation under FEA’s stewardship. When FEA took over, the company’s market remittance rate was a dismal 59 percent. Today, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)’s Q1 2025 performance report, KEDCO is the best-performing DISCO in Northern Nigeria, with a remittance performance above 100 percent.

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The turnaround is credited to a new governance structure led by the FEA-appointed board, working closely with the Bureau of Public Enterprises and state governments in the KEDCO franchise area — namely Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa. Improvements in billing and collection efficiencies have followed, significantly reducing commercial losses.

Powering Jigawa – From Urban Hubs to Rural Grids:

Even more remarkable are the on-ground infrastructure developments now reshaping Jigawa’s power landscape. FEA’s infrastructure commitments include up to 10MW of interconnected solar mini-grids in key cities, including Dutse, Gumel, Hadejia, Kafin Hausa, Kazaure, and Ringim.

These projects are being implemented through FEA’s renewable energy subsidiary, Bagaja Renewables, which previously constructed Nigeria’s largest interconnected mini-grid in Zawaciki, Kano. The flagship 500kW mini-grid in Kafin Hausa is nearing 95% completion, built at an estimated cost of ₦950 million. Additionally, the once-damaged second substation in Dutse has been fully repaired and brought back online, restoring redundancy and minimizing blackout risk in the capital — a project that cost nearly ₦200 million.

According to Sani Bala Sani, spokesperson for KEDCO, the next wave of mini-grids will focus on Hadejia and the Maigatari Free Trade Zone in Gumel. “We estimate to spend an incremental $3 million on these projects,” Bala said. “Our investors are bullish about the sector, and we’re actively engaging the Jigawa State Government on additional projects — including one to replace the Gagarawa-Taura-Ringim line, now under federal supervision.”

In a separate milestone, FEA recently completed a 39-kilometre distribution line delivering Band A electricity supply to the Dawanau International Grain Market, a major agro-trade hub. This line is expected to boost industrial activity in the region and aligns with Jigawa’s larger agro-industrial ambitions.

A Model for Energy Reform:

Governor Namadi’s “Agenda for Greater Jigawa” is increasingly being recognized as a template for pragmatic and forward-thinking energy policy at the subnational level. By choosing to invest strategically, rather than merely spending, Jigawa is positioning itself as a pioneer in driving inclusive electrification and sustainable industrial growth.

The governor’s approach also breaks with the traditional donor-recipient dynamic that has long defined state-DISCO relationships in Nigeria. Rather than providing infrastructure on behalf of the utility, Jigawa is shaping utility investment priorities through an ownership lens, and the results are speaking for themselves.

The Road Ahead:

While the full dividends of Jigawa’s investment in KEDCO and FEA are yet to be realised, early indicators suggest a partnership built on accountability, innovation, and mutual benefit. The alignment of public capital with private sector efficiency appears to be catalyzing a virtuous cycle of growth.

Challenges remain, especially as the federal government continues to recalibrate its role in power sector development. However, Jigawa’s proactive engagement and insistence on a structured, ROI-driven model have provided the state with both leverage and learning.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread electricity shortfalls, Jigawa’s success offers a compelling case study and a challenge to other states to rethink their approach to power sector participation. Governor Namadi’s gamble is not only yielding returns; it is changing the conversation on how to build a reliable, sustainable energy future in Nigeria.

Signed:
Sani Bala Sani
22/07/2025

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Kano Gov Abba Kabiru Yusuf bags international sports award in UK

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Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf , Saturday was honoured in the United Kingdom for his commitment and support to sports development in the state.

 

Our correspondent reports that the award presentation ceremony took place at the Feel Good Too , Ive Farm sports arena located at the Pavilion Walk in London.

The patron W O. Sports, Moses Andishu , while making the presentation, said the award is aimed at appreciating the governor for his consistency towards the development of sports in Kano.

Moses who doubles as SWAN national patron said “this is our token way of saying kudos to mr governor and our aim is to encourage him to do more for the growth of the industry .

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He added that “ we have noticed the reforms been carried out in Kano Pillars football club , we are aware of the efforts ongoing at the Kano state Sports Commission, KSSC and Kano Pillars is taking a new shape again, the state various sports teams now honor national invitations to major competitions, this is worth encouraging.

“we are very much aware of the plans by the governor, who is investing massively in the area of the provision of infrastructure, likewise we have seen investments made to renovate and upgrade major sports facilities, in the state, we just want to say thank you to his excellency and encourage him to invest more in sports

 

The special adviser to the governor on Youths and Sports, Sani Musa Danja , who received the award on behalf of the state governor said , “we are very delighted and happy, his excellency does not joke with anything that has to do with the development of the youths and he has always assured that he will always do everything possible to support the growth of Kano youths.

“I receive this award on behalf of his excellency with humility and honour for my governor , eng Abba Kabiru Yusuf, his works testify for his passion and commitment to sports development, his agenda is to always ensure Kano athletes competes amongst the best of the best by providing all the requirements that is needed for the state to excel in sports , and be rest assured that with my governor in charge sports development will always remain on the burner of the Kano First Agenda.

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President Tinubu Salutes Hon. Kabir Bichi, Chair Appropriation Committee Of The House Of Representatives On His 45th Birthday

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrates the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, on his 45th birthday today.

President Tinubu describes Hon. Bichi, who represents Bichi Federal Constituency of Kano State, as a vibrant, resourceful and dedicated lawmaker whose commitment to legislative duties and national development stands out.

President Tinubu remarks: “ As Chairman of one of the most strategic committees of the House, Hon. Bichi has demonstrated uncommon capacity, grit, and leadership in steering the consideration, scrutiny, and passage of the nation’s annual budget, a role central to implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda.

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“I commend him for his effective representation of his constituents and his impactful interventions in education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment, which have endeared him to his people.

“Bichi has distinguished himself since his first election to the House in 2019, where he served as Chairman of the House Committee on Works in the 9th Assembly and now as Chairman of Appropriation in the 10th Assembly.

“ As he marks his birthday today, I urge him to rededicate himself to serving his people and his fatherland.

“ And I pray to Almighty God to continue to bless him with good health, wisdom and strength.”

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
October 3, 2026

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Yari Urges North to Respect Power Rotation, Back Tinubu’s 8-Year Presidency

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The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar, has called on Nigerians in the North to respect the informal power-rotation arrangement and allow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to complete his constitutionally permitted eight-year tenure.

Yari made the call while addressing journalists at the Kano Government House after a meeting with Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The former Zamfara State governor said the North should understand and respect the political arrangement that brought the presidency to the South in 2023, arguing that the presidency had been held by a northerner for several years before the emergence of Tinubu.

Yari said, “66 years ago since independence, the country was led by northerners for 47 years,” adding that Nigerians should recognise the importance of maintaining unity and understanding how the country’s political system operates.

According to him, Nigeria remains a country that all citizens must work together to protect, regardless of regional or political differences.

“As we love this country, we don’t have any country other than Nigeria. Nigerians should come and understand how this country works. It is also better than many nations,” Yari said.

The APC chieftain explained that his role as Director-General of the campaign council was not limited to promoting President Tinubu but also included promoting national unity and understanding among Nigerians.

Yari said the current political arrangement should be respected, noting that former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, governed the country between 2015 and 2023 before power shifted to Tinubu from the South in 2023.

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“Having said this, this country, Nigeria, from 2015 to 2023 was led by a northerner, and now from 2023 to 2026 it is led by a southerner,” he said.

He therefore appealed to northerners not to seek to overturn the existing zoning arrangement on the basis of the region’s population, saying the political understanding was important for national stability.

“If we say we want to uproot the zoning arrangement because of our numbers, then my call for northerners is to understand how it works. They even understand more than I do,” Yari said.

He acknowledged that President Tinubu’s administration, like every government, was not perfect, but argued that the challenges facing Nigeria should not solely be attributed to the administration.

“Nobody is perfect. The southerners have also experienced what we are complaining about today when President Buhari was in power,” he said.

Yari also argued that insecurity was not peculiar to Nigeria, saying countries across the world, including the United States, continue to grapple with security challenges despite their level of development.

“On problems, no problem of a country is solved by any government, including even in the United States. They are managing insecurity as we are managing it,” he said.

The APC campaign council director-general further cited gun violence in Chicago as an example of the security challenges faced by other countries, stressing that every nation has its own problems that require continuous efforts to address.

Turning to the economy, Yari said Nigerians should assess the Tinubu administration based on economic indicators and compare the situation at the time the president assumed office in 2023 with the current position.

“When you look at when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to power in 2023, go and check what was the state of our reserves and what it is today, and what was the rate of inflation in 2023 and what it is today,” he said.

Yari maintained that the administration was making efforts to address the country’s economic and security challenges, while acknowledging that governments at both federal and state levels were working to improve the situation.

He urged Nigerians, particularly those in the North, to give the political arrangement time, arguing that the presidency would return to the region after Tinubu’s tenure if the existing rotation principle was maintained.

“I am calling on northerners to note that by the time Bola Ahmed Tinubu finishes in 2031, it will definitely come back to the North. So, this is how the arrangement is,” Yari said.

He added that federal and state governments were making efforts to address the challenges confronting the country and urged Nigerians to support measures aimed at strengthening national unity and development.

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