In a significant step towards bridging Nigeria’s energy deficit and fostering industrial growth in the North-East, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has officially flagged off the construction of a 1×7.5MVA, 33/11kV Injection Substation, along with a 2.5km 33kV line tee-off, at the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Dadin Kowa. The project, executed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), marks a pivotal expansion of reliable power infrastructure beyond the Niger Delta region, leveraging the company’s mandate to enhance national electricity distribution.
The initiative directly connects the sprawling industrial park to the national grid, ensuring stable and uninterrupted electricity supply for manufacturing hubs, small-scale enterprises, and surrounding communities. Governor Yahaya described the flag-off as a “milestone in Gombe’s journey towards energy self-sufficiency,” emphasizing the state’s domestication of the Electricity Act, which empowers sub-national entities to generate, transmit, and distribute power. “This substation will ignite the engines of our economy, creating jobs and attracting investments that will ripple across the North-East,” he stated during the ceremony.
NDPHC’s Managing Director, Mrs. Jennifer Agidije, highlighted the project’s alignment with the company’s broader vision of equitable power access nationwide. “At NDPHC, we are committed to scaling generation, transmission, and distribution networks to reach every corner of Nigeria. This 7.5MVA injection substation will serve as the beating heart of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, unlocking opportunities in agro-processing, textiles, and renewable energy integration,” Agidije remarked. She pledged timely completion within the first quarter of 2026, underscoring the company’s track record of delivering over 16 similar substations in the North-East since 2018.
The Executive Director of Networks at NDPHC, Mr. Bello Babayo Bello, commended Gombe’s proactive reforms, noting that the state tops national rankings for Ease of Doing Business (2021-2022). “Reliable power is the foundation of development. This project not only powers industries but also supports vulnerable communities, fostering inclusive growth,” Bello added.
Why This Matters for the Niger Delta and Beyond
Established under the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Act of 2005, NDPHC was initially tasked with addressing chronic power shortages in the oil-producing Niger Delta states (Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, Abia, Imo, and Ondo). However, its mandate has evolved to include nationwide interventions, channeling surplus capacity from Delta gas-fired plants to northern grids. This Gombe project exemplifies that synergy: much of Nigeria’s power generation relies on gas from the Delta region, making such expansions a direct boon for resource-rich communities by optimizing underutilized infrastructure and promoting equitable revenue sharing.
Local stakeholders, including industrialists and youth groups, hailed the move as a catalyst for diversification amid oil volatility. “For too long, the Delta’s resources have powered the nation without fair returns. Projects like this ensure our energy investments yield jobs and development everywhere,” said a representative from the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce during related discussions.
The flag-off comes amid national conversations on energy security, with recent X (formerly Twitter) buzz amplifying its reach. Videos of the event, shared by users like @trueNija, have garnered hundreds of views, sparking threads on how similar substations could revive Delta industries hit by pipeline vandalism.
Project Specifications and Timeline
- Capacity: 1×7.5MVA transformer, stepping down from 33kV to 11kV for industrial loads.
- Scope: Includes 2.5km of high-voltage line to integrate with the existing grid.
- Beneficiaries: Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park (phases 1-3), Dadin Kowa communities, and spillover to Yamaltu-Deba LGA.
- Timeline: Groundbreaking November 7, 2025; operational by March 2026.
- Cost and Funding: Federally backed via NDPHC’s ₦100bn+ annual budget for distribution interventions.
This development aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, targeting 6,000MW additional capacity by 2027. As Gombe eyes full electrification of its 11 LGAs, NDPHC’s role in this “power renaissance” could inspire replicated efforts in the Delta, where aging grids still hinder agro-industrial potential.
Niger Delta Herald will continue monitoring progress. For more on regional energy initiatives, visit ndphc.gov.ng.
