Kebbi State has taken a decisive step to improve electricity supply by approving a ₦650 million investment in a new power transformer. The move is aimed at reducing the frequent and disruptive power outages that have long frustrated residents, businesses, and public services across the state.
The initiative was announced on Friday in Birnin Kebbi by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, who spoke on the state government’s recent decisions. According to Bala-Tafida, the funds will be used to purchase and install a 15 MVA transformer, which is expected to bolster the local grid and bring more stable electricity to the region.
“This intervention is intended to alleviate the hardship faced by residents due to persistent and epileptic power supply,” the secretary explained. “While power distribution is within the purview of KAEDCO, the Kebbi Government deemed it expedient to step in to ease the suffering of residents caused by persistent power outages.”
In Nigeria, electricity distribution is normally the responsibility of private distribution companies. In Kebbi’s case, this role belongs to the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO). However, with ongoing complaints about inconsistent supply, the state government chose to intervene directly rather than wait for improvements from the utility provider.
Bala-Tafida also noted that the state government currently supports KAEDCO with a monthly financial contribution of ₦150 million. This subsidy aims to improve service delivery and help sustain better electricity supply in the state.
Residents were encouraged to support the effort by ensuring they pay their electricity bills promptly, a factor that the government says will help sustain any improvements in service.
In addition to this power project, Kebbi State has been active in other areas of public investment. In October, the government approved ₦4.05 billion for the rehabilitation of seven general hospitals to strengthen healthcare delivery. Another ₦1.4 billion was earmarked for school furniture procurement, and ₦900 million was provided as a take-off grant for the newly established Kebbi State Bureau of Statistics.
The emphasis on infrastructure comes as part of a broader push by the state leadership to improve living conditions and unlock economic potential. Governor Nasir Idris also highlighted that his administration has attracted more than ₦330 billion in foreign investment to Kebbi, primarily focused on tourism and cultural heritage projects.
Electricity challenges in Nigeria are well documented, and the sector has struggled with insufficient infrastructure, frequent outages, and a high cost of investment. National data shows that power sector interventions have absorbed significant funds, over ₦2.3 trillion was provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria for various support programmes as of 2023, yet outages and inefficiencies remain widespread.
Investments in power infrastructure like Kebbi’s transformer project can boost local economic activity, reduce production costs for small businesses, and improve investor confidence. Nigeria’s power sector still faces a significant investment gap, estimated at around $10 billion annually, to modernize and expand reliable electricity supply nationwide.
By prioritising electricity infrastructure and linking it to broader investment and social support schemes, Kebbi State hopes to not only reduce outages but also create a more conducive environment for economic growth and improved quality of life for its citizens.
