By SUNTV Global Channel | January 5, 2026
The Kano State Government has earmarked a massive ₦2 billion for the servicing and maintenance of generating sets in its 2026 budget, underscoring the continued struggle with unreliable electricity supply across Nigeria.
SUNTV Global Channel reports that the allocation is contained in the 2026 appropriation document published on the Open States platform, a transparency portal owned by BudgIT, and reviewed by SaharaReporters. The document reveals that the funds are meant to cover routine maintenance and servicing of generators across government facilities in the state.
The size of the allocation has drawn attention, particularly as Kano has in recent years positioned itself as a key player in efforts to reform electricity supply in northern Nigeria. The proposed ₦2 billion spending comes just months after Kano State, in partnership with Katsina and Jigawa states, announced the launch of what was described as Nigeria’s first regional electricity market, with an initial funding commitment of ₦50 billion.
Despite these ambitious plans, Kano — like many other states — continues to rely heavily on diesel-powered generators to keep government offices, hospitals and other public institutions running.
In November 2024, the Kano State Government disclosed that it was depending on two independent power projects to cushion the effects of worsening electricity shortages in the region. During a courtesy visit by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf revealed that the state-owned 10-megawatt Tiga Hydro Independent Power Plant was already generating and distributing electricity. He also announced that a second power project with a capacity of six megawatts was about 65 per cent completed at the time.
However, persistent national grid failures continue to undermine these efforts.
Last Monday, Nigeria’s fragile power system was plunged into emergency conditions following another collapse of the national grid, leading to a drastic reduction in electricity generation and widespread blackouts across the country.
Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) showed that total power generation crashed from 2,052.37 megawatts at about 2pm to just 139.92 megawatts by 3pm — a dramatic drop that signalled a major system failure.
The collapse resulted in severe disparities in power distribution nationwide. Out of the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos), only three were able to receive power during the period, with total allocation capped at 120MW.
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) received the highest allocation of 80MW, while Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Benin DisCo received 20MW each. All other DisCos were left without any supply.
According to NISO records, DisCos that recorded zero allocation included Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt and Yola, highlighting the scale of the disruption caused by the grid failure.
Independent monitoring organisations also confirmed the severity of the outage, describing it as one of the worst power disruptions in recent months.
Kano’s budgetary decision mirrors a growing trend among states preparing for prolonged electricity instability. In a similar move in 2025, Plateau State allocated ₦400 million for the purchase of 5,400 generating sets. Of that amount, ₦200 million was set aside for 3,400 generators for skilled artisans across the state’s 17 local government areas, while another ₦200 million was earmarked for 2,000 generators for artisans within the same councils.
As debates intensify over power sector reforms, Kano’s ₦2 billion generator maintenance allocation raises fresh questions about Nigeria’s heavy dependence on generators — even as governments invest billions in alternative and regional power solutions.
