By Shu’aibu Usman Leman
In a country frequently paralysed by the scale of its problems, where grand pronouncements too often crumble into dust, it is the subtle, pragmatic acts of governance that truly deserve our attention and praise. Nigeria is weary of promises. Our confidence, battered by decades of underperformance, is now being subtly, yet powerfully, rekindled by a quiet revolution taking place in Gombe State.
The recent official launch of a 7.5-megawatt (MW) injection substation at the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park is more than just a ceremonial event; it is a profound philosophical statement. Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has masterfully shifted the conversation from lamenting Nigeria’s persistent power deficit to acting decisively to solve it, one localised grid at a time. This is leadership at its most worthwhile of translating a clear vision—industrial revival—into tangible, electrified action, even amidst daunting national economic headwinds.
The sheer ambition of the 1,000-hectare industrial park, strategically anchored by agribusiness, is breathtaking. Yet, without reliable power, it would be nothing more than a vast, sun-drenched field of unrealised potential. The substation, therefore, is not an accessory; it is the backbone—the very lifeblood—of this regional economic engine, promising to deliver electricity to key industries, innovation clusters, and the sprawling network of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that form the true engine of employment.
For too long, Nigeria’s monolithic approach to power generation and distribution has choked its industrial potential. The erratic, often non-existent, power supply has been a primary saboteur of our manufacturing base, forcing countless youth into despondency or, worse, mass migration in search of opportunity abroad.
Gombe, however, is demonstrating the potent utility of the Electricity Act. By strategically utilising this legislation to decentralise and domesticate power infrastructure, the state is effectively shielding its future industrial tenants from the volatility of the national grid. The partnership with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) on this substation is a textbook example of effective inter-agency and state-level collaboration, proving that the solution to a national problem can be found in localised innovation and shared responsibility.
The forecasts springing from this initiative are profoundly encouraging, a credible projection of over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. This is not just a statistical uplift; it is the transformation of thousands of livelihoods, the restoration of family dignity, and the stabilisation of an entire regional economy—the North-East—that desperately requires such anchors of hope.
Complementing the substation’s immediate impact is Gombe’s equally crucial investment in a ₦1 billion hydropower-solar hybrid initiative in the Balanga area. This dual approach signals a forward-thinking leadership that understands the future of energy is not just about availability, but about sustainability and resilience. This adoption of clean, renewable, and decentralised power models is a powerful acknowledgment of a global imperative. It ensures that Gombe is not just building infrastructure for today, but future-proofing its economy for tomorrow, creating a model where no community is necessarily left in darkness due to the failure of a distant, centralised plant. These actions are a clear manifestation of a state committed to a robust, self-reliant energy ecosystem.
Predictably, the naysayers will emerge. They will dismiss this 7.5MW effort as a ‘drop in the ocean’ compared to Nigeria’s mammoth power needs. But history’s greatest transformations—from the industrial revolution to modern technological leaps—rarely begin with a single, colossal event. They begin with small, consistent sparks—incremental, focused reforms that build trust and momentum. Gombe has a history of this methodical approach. Its achievement of ranking as Nigeria’s top state in the Ease of Doing Business (2021–2022) was not a fluke; it was secured through a relentless commitment to consistent, incremental regulatory and infrastructural reforms. This substation is merely the most visible and recent result of that underlying, disciplined work ethic.
What Gombe State has demonstrated is irrefutable proof that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can, indeed, bear fruit. The success of the national agenda hinges not merely on federal initiatives, but on the willingness of states to take ownership, embrace innovation, and collaborate effectively with both federal agencies and the private sector. Gombe is not waiting for Abuja; it is building its own future and, in doing so, is holding up a mirror to others.
The imperative facing some states is straightforward and urgent, will they emulate Gombe’s model of action, partnership, and localised innovation, or will they remain shackled by old patterns of dependency and bureaucratic inertia? A new, decentralised industrial culture is within our collective reach—one where every state harnesses its unique resource strengths, aggressively pursues Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and establishes clear frameworks that support enterprise and productivity.
However, the path from successful launch to sustained impact is fraught with peril. This budding success story requires immediate and unwavering vigilance. Years of investment could be undone by the persistent threat of insecurity, which can shatter investor confidence in a single, catastrophic event. Equally menacing are the internal threats of funding gaps, bureaucratic obstacles, and the corrosive influence of corruption, sabotage, and vandalism. These must be checked with unyielding discipline and radical transparency. This is where the role of the community becomes paramount. The citizens of Gombe must transform from mere beneficiaries into the co-guardians of these vital projects, ensuring their longevity and integrity.
The 7.5MW injection substation is Gombe’s ‘power play’—a term not of political manoeuvring, but of strategic, future-shaping action. It serves as a gentle, yet undeniable, reminder that small efforts, consistently and intelligently applied, are the true building blocks of national transformation. It is time to shed the national cynicism. It is time for others to look inward and ask: “What is our Gombe-style action?” It is time to believe again, to act again, and to power Nigeria toward the industrial greatness that has always been its destiny.
Shu’aibu Usman Leman is former National Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists -NUJ.
