By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

After several decades without electricity, two communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday celebrated five months of uninterrupted power supply following the completion of two solar-powered mini-grids with a combined capacity of one megawatt.

The projects, executed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with in-kind support from the South Korean government, are designed to supply electricity to about 4,000 households in Robochi Community and 1,000 households in Ikwa Community.

In addition to power generation, the initiative includes the installation of 19 kilometres of distribution networks, new wiring, and energy-saving bulbs for the 5,000 benefiting households.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the project in Robochi, Kuje Area Council, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said the projects reinforce the government’s belief that access to reliable and sustainable electricity is not a privilege but a fundamental driver of socio-economic transformation.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Engr. Mahmud Mamman, the minister said the government “remains firmly committed to expanding access to clean, affordable and reliable electricity across Nigeria, particularly for rural and underserved communities.

“This commitment is reflected in our strong support for decentralised renewable energy solutions as a practical and sustainable pathway to closing the nation’s energy access gap,” he added.

Earlier, the Managing Director of REA, Engr. Abba Aliyu, disclosed that the government is implementing what he described as the largest renewable energy programme in the world, a $750 million initiative aimed at electrifying 17.5 million Nigerians through the deployment of 1,350 mini-grids nationwide.

Aliyu noted that the partnership between Nigeria and South Korea has enabled REA to deliver critical electricity infrastructure in several communities, including Robochi and Ikwa.

“This landmark project was designed as a fully integrated energy solution,” he stated.

According to him, “The Korea Energy Project has delivered two landmark mini-grid installations: the 900 kWp facility here in Robochi and the 100 kWp system in Ikwa. Both sites are fully operational and already providing stable, reliable power to households, small businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and commercial clusters. Here in Robochi alone, approximately 2,500 households and institutions are now connected.

“The impact is immediate and far-reaching. Small businesses can operate beyond daylight hours, students can learn in safer and better-lit environments, healthcare services are more reliable, and local economic activities are expanding, creating jobs and strengthening livelihoods.”

Speaking at the event, the traditional ruler of Robochi, HRH Ibrahim Mohammed Pada, said that after decades without electricity, the community has now enjoyed five months of uninterrupted power supply from the project.

Also speaking, the Principal of Federal Government College, Robochi, Mr. Funsho Adewale, recalled that when he was posted to the college in March last year, he was surprised to discover that the school was not connected to the national grid.

“That meant learning effectively ended at 6 p.m. every day, but this has changed since last October when the college was connected to the solar mini-grid in the community,” he said.