For many years, the farming community of Ajuye in Nasarawa State would become almost completely quiet once night fell. Businesses closed early, homes depended on lanterns and torchlights, and residents relied heavily on petrol generators for limited electricity.
Today, the story is remarkably different.
The once-dark community now enjoys reliable electricity through a 120-kilowatt solar hybrid mini-grid, bringing new economic opportunities, improving healthcare, and transforming daily life for residents.
Located in North Central Nigeria, Ajuye is one of several rural communities benefiting from Nigeria’s expanding off-grid renewable energy programme. The mini-grid, developed by Husk Power Systems under the Rural Electrification Agency’s Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP) and supported through the World Bank-backed Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) initiative, began operations in January 2025.
For residents, the impact goes beyond electricity. Businesses now remain open late into the evening, workshops operate for longer hours, and households enjoy conveniences that were previously unavailable.
Local welder Bulus Yusuf said the new power supply has significantly reduced his operating costs. Before the project, he spent between ₦60,000 and ₦70,000 monthly on generator fuel. Today, his electricity expenses have dropped to between ₦10,000 and ₦20,000, allowing him to expand his workshop, purchase additional equipment, and plan to employ an apprentice.
Phone charging centres have also experienced major improvements. Abdulazeez Zakaria, who operates one of the charging businesses serving Ajuye and neighbouring communities, said dependable electricity has enabled him to run his business around the clock without worrying about fuel shortages or generator breakdowns.
Residents say the benefits extend beyond commerce. Shops remain open longer, streets are livelier at night, and many people feel safer moving around after dark.
Homes now have access to refrigerators, electric fans, and other appliances that have improved living conditions. Families can preserve food, children are able to study comfortably in the evenings, and many households enjoy better sleep during hot weather.
The community’s healthcare services have also seen notable improvements.
Anthony Sakuya Abednego, a health worker at Kyuni Clinic, recalled that medical staff previously depended on generators to handle childbirth and emergency cases at night. Since the solar mini-grid became operational, the clinic has maintained uninterrupted electricity for vaccine storage, emergency procedures, and overnight patient care.
According to him, healthcare workers can now attend to patients at any hour without worrying about power failures, while the clinic’s generator is rarely needed.
The reliable electricity has also created new opportunities for young people. Fashion designer Muhammad Shafi’u Yunusa said his tailoring business now operates industrial sewing machines without interruption and he hopes to open another shop.
His apprentice, Aisha Jibrin, said access to stable electricity accelerated her training by allowing her to practise for longer hours and gain experience with industrial machines that were previously difficult to operate consistently.
The traditional ruler of Ajuye, Yakubu Ahmed Maidoji, said nearby communities are increasingly seeking assistance to secure similar electricity projects after witnessing the transformation in his town.
Although some parts of Ajuye and surrounding communities are yet to be connected, residents say the dependable electricity has already changed the community’s future by supporting businesses, improving healthcare, creating jobs, and enhancing the overall quality of life.
For many people in Ajuye, the arrival of reliable electricity represents more than infrastructure—it symbolises progress, opportunity, and renewed hope for generations to come.
