The Niger State Government has allocated 500 hectares of land to Abuja Steel Mills Limited – a subsidiary of African Industries Group – for the establishment of the largest solar-powered plant in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as an industrial steel project and park.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to overhauling the power sector to drive industrialisation, while commending Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State for attracting private investments to catalyse economic growth.

“We are working to resolve the fundamental contradictions that have made electricity a source of national frustration rather than national productivity,” Tegbe said.

Also, the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, said the solar-powered project will drive President Bola Tinubu’s goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030, adding that the firm has “invested billions of dollars and contributed massively to the vision of Mr President to grow the economy.”

Earlier, Governor Bago explained that the allocation was part of a strategic target to trigger an industrial boom and reshape the state’s economic landscape. He also announced plans to gazette an additional 200,000 hectares to foster further sustainable investment.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of African Industries Group, Raj Gupta, noted at the groundbreaking and handover ceremony in Abuja over the weekend that the initiative would place Nigeria prominently on the global steel and renewable energy maps.

According to him, the land allocation is not just an opportunity to build industry and create jobs; its main purpose is development, empowerment, and the uplift of the people.