Benue to Establish Energy Commission to Coordinate Investments — Alia

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has announced plans by the state government to establish an Energy Commission to coordinate energy investments in Benue.
Governor Alia made the disclosure on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Roundtable Engagement with Benue State, held in Abuja.

The engagement was themed “From Strategy to Accelerating Private Investment in Benue State’s Renewable Energy Ecosystem.”
According to the governor, the proposed Energy Commission will function as a special, independent vehicle responsible for coordinating energy projects, mobilising capital, streamlining approvals and ensuring the efficient deployment of investor funds.
He said the commission would serve as a one-stop platform for energy investment in the state, noting that the impact of the initiative would be transformative. Industrial zones and commercial enterprises, he explained, would gain access to reliable electricity, reduce operational costs and attract further investments.
Governor Alia added that solar-powered schools and hospitals would enjoy uninterrupted services, thereby strengthening education and healthcare delivery across the state.
He further stated that the expansion of electric vehicles, electric bikes and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transport would reduce emissions, foster a green mobility ecosystem and create new economic opportunities.
Enumerating the benefits, the governor said the initiative would improve access to electricity that drives inclusion, productivity and a better quality of life, create green jobs, deepen energy access, enhance climate resilience and position Benue as a benchmark for energy-led industrial development in Nigeria.
Alia also disclosed that the state would establish a high-powered task force to develop a comprehensive energy master plan, define priority projects and create bankable investment pipelines.
According to him, the task force would also design a robust regulatory framework to guarantee transparency, predictability and investor confidence, while serving as a blueprint for renewable energy deployment and industrial energy solutions such as CNG.
“In developing our energy strategy, Benue has carefully studied Nigeria’s ongoing power sector reforms, particularly the decentralisation of electricity generation and distribution enabled by the Electricity Act, 2023,” the governor said.
He explained that rather than replicating existing national structures, the state was adapting the reforms to suit Benue’s unique economic profile, industrial ambitions and energy demand patterns.
“While the national grid remains important, the strategy recognises its limitations in meeting sub-national and industrial energy needs. Benue is therefore designing a complementary decentralised energy model that reduces dependence on the national grid and supports embedded and captive power solutions,” he added.
Governor Alia noted that the decentralised approach would enable private investors to efficiently serve industrial clusters, agro-processing zones and off-grid communities.
“By integrating renewable energy and gas-based solutions such as CNG, alternative base-load options and coal-bed methane, our state is aligning with national energy transition objectives while demonstrating how state-level innovation can translate policy reforms into tangible outcomes,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of REA, Mr. Abba Aliyu, said that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the agency had secured a 750 million-dollar project fund.
Aliyu explained that the fund is targeted at developing 1,350 mini-grids to electrify 17.5 million Nigerians, building 250 interconnected mini-grids and deploying over 10 million solar home systems nationwide.
He said the roundtable provided an opportunity for the Benue State Government to invite private investors to access the funds and work towards achieving 100 per cent electrification in the state.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between Benue State and the REA. The signing was accompanied by remarks and commendations from several state officials, including the Benue State Commissioner of Finance, Hon. Michael Oglegba; the Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr. Raymond Asemakaha; and the Special Adviser on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Fidelis Unongo, among other dignitaries who expressed support for the initiative.