Gemini said
In a significant move to bolster rural economies, Engr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, Executive Director of Technical Services at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has launched a large-scale empowerment initiative in Kano State. Speaking through a statement by his spokesperson, Edwin Olofu, on Monday, February 9, 2026, Ganduje emphasized that the path to true national development lies in the deliberate strengthening of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The son of the former APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, distributed life-changing technology to 280 beneficiaries across the Dawakin-Tofa, Tofa, and Rimin Gado federal constituencies over the weekend.
1. Solar-Powered Irrigation: Solving the Seasonal Farming Trap
The hallmark of the 2026 intervention is the distribution of solar-powered irrigation pumps to 120 young farmers.
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Year-Round Productivity: By eliminating the reliance on seasonal rainfall, these pumps allow farmers to transition to all-season farming.
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Cost Reduction: The move effectively removes the burden of rising fuel costs, which has historically limited the profitability of small-scale agriculture in the North-West.
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Livelihood Improvement: Stable irrigation translates to consistent harvests, food security, and increased household income.
2. Energizing 160 SMEs with 1.2kW Systems
Beyond agriculture, Ganduje provided 160 SMEs with 1.2-kilowatt solar energy systems designed to keep small businesses running without disruption.
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Targeted Sectors: The systems are powering barbing salons, tailoring shops, POS service points, and computer-related businesses in rural communities.
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Energy Independence: Each system provides enough power to reduce dependency on the national grid and expensive petrol generators.
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Youth & Gender Inclusion: The program specifically targets both male and female entrepreneurs whose livelihoods are directly tied to consistent electricity.
3. The Path to Economic Maturity
Umar Ganduje’s strategy mirrors the developmental models of advanced global economies.
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The Global Blueprint: “Nations that are economically developed got there by empowering SMEs, and that is the path we are following,” he noted during the event.
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The Renewed Hope Agenda: He aligned the initiative with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on human capital development and decentralized infrastructure.
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Scale of Impact: To date, over 13,947 people in the region have benefited from Ganduje’s seven phases of empowerment programs.
Empowerment Snapshot: Kano (Feb 2026)
“Strengthening SMEs remains a critical driver of sustainable economic growth. We must adopt this approach to achieve meaningful development.” — Engr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, REA Executive Director.
