By Fatima Saka
Abuja – Bauchi State Governor, His Excellency Senator Bala Mohammed, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment that guarantees investment protection, rural development, and sustainable electrification across the state.
Speaking at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) State-by-State Roundtable Engagement held in Abuja on Wednesday, Governor Mohammed emphasized that effective governance depends on strategic collaboration capable of delivering tangible development, particularly in rural communities.
“Our ease of doing business and enabling environment are what sell Bauchi to investors,” the governor said. “We recently convened an international investment summit where we secured ₦5.7 billion in firm commitments across all sectors, including ₦1 billion in the power sector. We are not here to benefit personally but to incentivize and facilitate sustainable investments that will drive economic growth in Bauchi.”
He highlighted Bauchi’s status as one of the most peaceful and investor-ready states in Nigeria, citing improved security architecture, rural road networks spanning over 1,000 kilometres, and strong community-based surveillance systems that ensure investor safety.
“Bauchi is a place to go. There is peace, an enabling environment, and a strong political will to ensure establishment and sustainability. Investors can keep their families and businesses safe. We will protect lives, property, and investments,” he assured.
Governor Mohammed described the REA as a “model agency”, commending its data-driven approach to development planning and its knowledge-based strategy for tackling energy poverty nationwide.
“Apart from REA, I have not seen any agency whose development plan is so driven by data and knowledge. They have mapped every nook and cranny using GPS and economic indices that guide impactful initiatives. This is how governance should work,” he noted.
Governor Mohammed further reiterating Bauchi’s readiness to partner with federal agencies, private investors, and international stakeholders to transform the state into a renewable energy hub for Northern Nigeria, adding that his government’s vision is to achieve financial independence through industrialization and power sector expansion.
“We are willing partners in development. We will work with REA and investors to bring light, jobs, and prosperity to our people,” he declared.
Earlier, REA Managing Director, Dr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, and Executive Director, Hon. Doris Uboh, said the roundtable was designed to connect Bauchi State to private renewable energy developers who have collectively mobilised over $2 billion and deployed more than 500 mini-grids nationwide.
Under the partnership model, REA will provide 60 per cent of project funding, while the Bauchi State Government contributes 40 per cent, with the goal of increasing the state’s current 22 mini-grid projects to over 100, providing 2.5 megawatts of electricity to 25 rural communities, enhancing security, and expanding income opportunities.
The engagement culminated in the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the Bauchi State Government and the REA management to accelerate implementation.
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Also speaking, Hon. Modibbo U. A. Ahmed Bauchi State Commissioner for Power, Science, and Technology, outlined the state’s vast renewable energy potentials,spanning solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal resources, and its ambitious goal of achieving 100% electricity access by 2035, with at least 50% generated from renewable sources.
“Bauchi’s demographic advantage, peace, and economic diversity make it ideal for energy investments,” he said. “We aim to leverage the Electricity Act to design a state-driven electricity market that attracts private investments and guarantees transparency and sustainability.”
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