UNITED NATIONS PRAISES NIGERIA’S OFF-GRID SOLAR INITIATIVES FOR DELIVERING ELECTRICITY TO OVER FIVE MILLION PEOPLE

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs highlights rural electrification framework as a benchmark for expanding clean energy access, lowering power costs, and driving local job creation

The United Nations has commended Nigeria’s rural electrification initiatives, highlighting the country's decentralized solar energy programs as a model for expanding clean electricity access to underserved communities across Africa.

In its World Social Report released by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the global body noted that Nigeria's targeted subsidy frameworks and off-grid solar deployments have successfully delivered reliable power to over five million people in rural and peri-urban regions.

The report praised the execution of off-grid solar home systems and solar mini-grids under national energy schemes, which have bypassed traditional power grid constraints to bring electricity to remote households, healthcare centers, and small commercial enterprises.

In addition to expanding energy access, the UN evaluation emphasized that Nigeria's solar power expansion has catalyzed local economic growth, generating over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs in technical installation, maintenance, and distribution networks.

UN officials observed that combining public sector incentives with private-sector clean energy investments offers an effective template for bridging the energy access gap while advancing global climate mitigation and sustainable development goals.

The United Nations reaffirmed its commitment to supporting technical and financial partnerships with Nigeria to further scale renewable energy infrastructure, enhance productive energy use, and accelerate universal electricity coverage nationwide.