Niger State Hosts Groundbreaking for 200MW Solar Project to Power Abuja Steel Mills

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Niger State Government and private sector investors, has launched a 200-megawatt solar power project designed to supply energy to Abuja Steel Mills Limited, a subsidiary of African Industries Group (AIG).

The groundbreaking ceremony, held in Dikko Community, Niger State, saw the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, join Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe, and Minister of State for Industry Senator John Owan Enoh in officially handing over 500 hectares of land for the project.

The solar facility is expected to become one of the largest solar-powered industrial energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and will provide dedicated electricity to support the operations and future expansion of Abuja Steel Mills.

Speaking at the event, Audu described the project as a major step toward achieving the industrialisation goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He said the initiative would help attract foreign direct investment, strengthen local manufacturing and contribute to the administration’s target of growing Nigeria’s economy to $1 trillion by 2030.

The minister commended Governor Bago for allocating the land required for the project, describing the move as a strategic decision that would further position Niger State as a hub for industrial development.

Governor Bago, in his remarks, expressed appreciation to African Industries Group for selecting Niger State as the host location for the project. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for private sector investments and urged residents of the host community to safeguard the facility.

“The project demonstrates the impact of effective collaboration between government and the private sector in driving national development,” the governor said. He also called on the company to prioritise employment opportunities for members of the local community.

Chairman of African Industries Group, Raj Gupta, described the groundbreaking as a historic milestone, noting that the company’s more than five decades of operations in Nigeria have been guided by a commitment to industrial growth, empowerment and national development.

Also speaking, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe praised the Niger State Government’s support for the initiative, saying the project would strengthen the state’s position within Nigeria’s industrial and energy landscape.

Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, highlighted the significance of the collaboration among the steel, power and industrial sectors. He stressed the importance of inter-ministerial cooperation in accelerating sustainable economic development and commended African Industries Group for facilitating the partnership.

The 200MW solar power project is expected to boost energy reliability for steel production, reduce dependence on conventional power sources and support broader efforts to expand industrial capacity in Nigeria.