The federal government has launched the Tinubu Light Initiative, a nationwide renewable energy programme aimed at providing affordable and reliable clean electricity to one million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria.
The initiative was unveiled by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) at the national showcase of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 held in Abuja, on Saturday.
The programme is designed to help MSMEs reduce the high cost of electricity and their dependence on petrol and diesel generators through innovative financing models and strategic partnerships.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of NBTI, Kazeem Raji, said the programme is expected to create more than 50,000 direct jobs while accelerating renewable energy adoption, supporting local manufacturing and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.
Raji said lowering energy costs would enable business owners to channel their savings into production and expansion, potentially resulting in increased productivity, job creation and stronger economic growth.
He noted that women and young entrepreneurs would particularly benefit from the initiative as access to affordable electricity would help reduce operational costs and improve the sustainability of their businesses.
“Imagine one million businesses operating with lower production costs; entrepreneurs reinvesting their savings into business expansion; increased productivity across every sector of our economy; cleaner communities and stronger local industries,” Raji said.
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The Tinubu Light Initiative is expected to promote the transition of MSMEs from conventional fossil-fuel-powered generators to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
The programme also aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the federal government’s focus on innovation, science, technology and entrepreneurship as tools for sustainable economic development.
The government said the initiative would further strengthen the role of MSMEs in Nigeria’s economy by addressing one of the major challenges confronting businesses—access to affordable and reliable electricity.
