IOM powers UN humanitarian hubs with solar in Borno
By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has completed the solarisation of nine United Nations (UN) humanitarian hubs in the northeast of the country.
According to the organisation, the solar-powered hubs mark a milestone in the transition to sustainable and efficient energy solutions in humanitarian operations.
The development was disclosed in a statement released in Maiduguri by the IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche.
She said, “The initiative funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office underscores IOM’s commitment to promoting environmentally responsible practices to reduce the carbon footprint of humanitarian activities in the conflict-affected regions.”
She said that the UN humanitarian hubs sited in Maiduguri, Bama, Banki, Dikwa, Gwoza, Monguno, Ngala, and Damasak, a border community with Niger, aligned with global and national ambitions.
The solarisation project, which began in 2024, led to the installation of a hybrid solar power supply (SPS) system comprising 2,000 solar panels with an overall capacity of 1,250 kWp at the nine humanitarian hubs in Borno State.
According to the IOM chief, the initiative is the most expansive solar effort in Nigeria’s humanitarian sector to date.
“By harnessing renewable energy, we are not only ensuring a stable power supply for our humanitarian operations but are also aligning with global commitments to climate action and sustainability; it’s a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation.
Besides the mitigation of climate change, Dimanche noted that the humanitarian hubs currently enable direct access to over 1.3 million individuals across the state.
“The solarisation of the humanitarian hubs has also enhanced both the speed and quality of life-saving services delivery in hard-to-reach areas,” she said.
Dimanche explained that prior to the transition to solar, the hubs relied on diesel generators, which accounted for about 40% of operational costs.
She lamented the previous operations that required complex logistics to maintain fuel supply. Additionally, the IOM Chief noted that the SPS has significantly reduced dependency on diesel generators, which contributed to improved energy efficiency with the reduction of carbon emissions and overall energy security.
Besides the energy efficiency of SPS, she said, “The humanitarian hubs have also provided staff accommodation, ETS internet access, office space, and meeting and training facilities to 4,580 aid workers.
