Manufacturers in Kano State are preparing for a historic shift in electricity supply as members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kano Branch, have declared their readiness to bypass distribution companies (Discos) and purchase power directly from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).
The move, according to industry leaders, is driven by the worsening electricity shortages and rising energy costs that have crippled local industries in recent years.
Kano, which is home to one of Nigeria’s largest clusters of small, medium, and large-scale manufacturers, has seen several factories reduce operations or shut down completely due to erratic power supply and reliance on costly diesel alternatives.
During a recent meeting in Abuja with a 20-member delegation from Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Kano, the Managing Director/CEO of NDPHC, Jennifer Adighije, assured manufacturers that the company was ready to step in and provide reliable power under the federal government’s Eligible Customer framework.
“We are committed to partnering with the manufacturing sector to drive industrial growth, create jobs, and enhance socio-economic development,” Adighije said.
“Within the provisions of the eligible customer framework, we are ready to work with MAN in Kano to make this happen.”
She explained that improvements in plant availability have positioned NDPHC to ramp up supply, noting that the revival of key assets such as the Omotosho and Alaoji power plants would boost overall generation capacity.
Adighije added that NDPHC intends to commercialise at least 200 megawatts of stranded electricity by the end of 2025, stressing that the underutilisation of available power by Discos has negatively impacted the company’s operations.
The delegation was led by Ali Madugu, Managing Director of Dala Foods and a prominent member of MAN Kano.
He explained that the association’s members were eager to procure electricity directly from NDPHC to revive production and secure jobs.
“Our members have both the capacity and willingness to procure power directly from NDPHC.
Access to reliable electricity is critical for reviving industries and sustaining jobs in Kano State,” Madugu said.
The manufacturers urged NDPHC to extend its Eligible Customer Programme to Kano, arguing that steady power would not only cut production costs but also make local industries more competitive in both domestic and international markets.
At the meeting, NDPHC’s Executive Director of Corporate Services, Commercial and Strategy, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, and the Executive Director of Networks, Bello Babayo Bello, presented a roadmap detailing how Kano manufacturers could benefit from the scheme.
This includes phased connections, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure upgrades to ensure smooth transmission and distribution of power directly to factories.
Industry stakeholders say the arrangement could mark a turning point for Kano’s manufacturing sector, which has struggled with unstable electricity supply for decades.
Analysts note that if successful, it may encourage other industrial hubs across Nigeria to explore similar partnerships with generation companies.
Kano is Nigeria’s second-largest industrial hub after Lagos, hosting industries ranging from textiles and food processing to steel, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.
Experts believe that direct access to affordable power could revive dormant factories, attract new investment, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports.
The move also aligns with the federal government’s goal of diversifying the economy through industrialisation and job creation.
According to MAN, improved electricity supply could help reduce the state’s high unemployment rate and restore Kano’s historic role as a commercial nerve centre in West Africa.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties expressing optimism that the partnership would unlock Kano’s industrial potential.
While regulatory approvals and infrastructure upgrades remain critical next steps, both MAN and NDPHC appear determined to break the cycle of poor power supply that has long stifled Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.