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MTN, others get permits to generate electricity
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued permits to Golden Penny Power Limited, MTN Communications Nigeria Limited, Havenhill Synergy, and others for mini-grid electricity generation.
The NERC said it issued nine new off-grid generation licences in the first quarter of 2024 with a gross capacity of 109.69 megawatts and three new trading licences.
According to a report by the commission, Golden Penny Power Limited got a licence to build six off-grid gas plants in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Cross River states. The total capacity is 100MW.
Also, MTN was granted a permit to build four captive generation plants across Lagos State with 15.94MW capacity.
Aside from MTN, SweetCo Foods Limited, African Steel Mills Nigeria Limited, West African Ceramics Limited, Royal Engineered Stones Limited, and Armilo Plastics Limited were permitted to generate captive power.
“Captive power generation permits are issued to entities that aim to own and maintain power plants for generating power for consumption and not for sale to a third party. The commission issued nine captive power generation permits in 2024/Q1 with a total nameplate capacity of 52.57MW.
Our correspondent gathered that other licensed companies for mini-grids are Daybreak Power Solutions, TIS Renewable Energy Limited, Auro Nigeria Private Limited, Watts Exchange Limited, Centum Dopemu Energy Services Ltd, DMD Electric Limited Lagos State.
Section 165(1)(m) of the Electricity Act 2023 permits the commission to award licence of mini-grid concessions to renewable energy companies to exclusively serve a specific geographical location indicating aggregate electricity to be generated and distributed from a site with the obligation to serve customers to request service.
Under this, the commission said it has continued to encourage the development and utilisation of renewable energy by issuing permits and registration certificates for mini-grid development.
A permit is issued to a mini-grid developer for the construction, operation, maintenance, and where applicable ownership of mini-grids with distribution capacity above 100 kilowatts and generation capacity up to 1MW.
The commission disclosed that it issues registration certificates to a mini-grid developer for one or more systems with distribution capacity below 100kW.
“Following the satisfactory evaluation of mini-grid applications, the commission issued three mini-grid permits and two registration certificates in 2024/Q1,” the NERC stated.
During the period under review, NERC stated that it certified six Meter Service Providers, including four meter installers and two meter manufacturers.
A Meter Service Provider is an entity certified by the commission as a manufacturer, supplier, vendor, or installer of electric energy meters and/or metering systems.
A Meter Asset Provider is an entity that is granted a permit by the commission to provide metering services with roles that may include meter financing, procurement, supply, installation, maintenance, and replacement.
The certified meter service providers are Genobet Limited (installer), Mojec Meter Asset Management (installer), Epagad International Services Limited (installer), Abdulrahman Ahmadu Zubairu (installer), Smart Meters Company Limited (manufacturer), and Crestflow Energy Limited (manufacturer).
The commission also said it issued one regulation and 36 new Orders in 2024/Q1. They include NERC–R–001–2024 — Eligible Customer Regulations, 2024; NERC/2023/023—NERC/2023/033 — Multi-Year Tariff Order 2024 for the Distribution Companies; and NERC/2023/034 — MYTO 2024 for the Transmission Company of Nigeria Plc.
Other are NERC/2023/035 — Order on Performance Improvement Plan of the Transmission Company of Nigeria; NERC/2024/001 — Order on the Regulatory Intervention in Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc; NERC/2024/004 – NERC/2024/014 — Order on Noncompliance with Capping of Estimated Bill by DisCos for the period January – September 2023; and NERC/2024/016 – NERC/2024/036 — February 2024 Supplementary Order to the Multi-Year Tariff Order for the Discos.
During the quarter, the commission issued 36 orders to guide the activities of licensees.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to the Nigerian naira in the parallel market (commonly known as the black market) has been updated for Sunday, February 23, 2025. According to Bureau De Change (BDC) sources, the rates are as follows
Buying Rate: ₦1,520 per dollar
Selling Rate: ₦1,530 per dollar
It is important to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not officially recognize black market rates and advises individuals to conduct foreign exchange transactions through licensed financial institutions.
CBN Official Exchange Rate
Highest Rate: ₦1,509
Lowest Rate: ₦1,491
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Senate has summoned Ahmad Isa, popularly known as the Ordinary President of Brekete Family, to appear before it on February 27, 2025. The summons is reportedly linked to a recent broadcast of the Brekete Family radio show, in which Senator Natasha spoke about her grievances with Isa.
The Senate’s directive has sparked debate, particularly over its warning that Isa could be deemed a criminal if he fails to comply. Critics argue that such a stance may be an attempt to stifle press freedom and curtail the activities of Brekete Family, a well-known platform for social justice and human rights advocacy in Nigeria.
Isa, whose work has earned him widespread recognition—including an honorary doctorate from the Federal University Lokoja—has built a strong following through his intervention in public grievances and human rights cases. Many Nigerians regard Brekete Family as a voice for the marginalized, providing a platform for citizens to seek redress on issues ranging from governance to social welfare.
The Senate’s move has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a necessary step to address concerns related to the broadcast, while others see it as an overreach that could undermine media independence and freedom of expression in the country. It remains to be seen how Isa will respond to the summons and what impact this development will have on his widely followed program.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A recently resurfaced official gazette from the Federal Military Government has confirmed that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was released and pardoned by Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon on August 12, 1966, ten days after his actual release on August 2,1966.
The document puts to rest claims by Radio Biafra that Lt. Colonel Emeka Ojukwu or Major General Aguiyi-Ironsi played any role in securing Awolowo’s freedom.
According to the document, upon his release from Calabar Prison, Awolowo was received in Lagos by Lt. Colonel Murtala Muhammed, who personally drove him to Dodan Barracks to meet with Head of State Lt. Colonel Gowon. However, the journey from the airport proved challenging as a massive crowd, organized by Alhaja Asabi Abibat Mogaji, mother of Nigeria’s current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, flooded the streets to welcome the revered statesman.
The gazette also refutes any suggestion that the coup plotters of January 15, 1966, including Majors Chukwuma Nzeogwu and Emmanuel Ifeajuna, attempted to release Awolowo. In fact, there is no record of them making any effort to contact or rescue him from detention. Some analysts argue that had Awolowo been politically active at the time, he might have been among those executed during the coup.
This revelation further solidifies Gowon’s role in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape during a tumultuous period, while also challenging revisionist narratives surrounding Awolowo’s release
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