The Lekeh Development Foundation has provided solar-powered electricity to 100 households in Buan Kaani, Khana Local Government Area, marking a significant step toward improving energy access in the rural Ogoni community.
The initiative was unveiled on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Community Secondary School 2, Kaani, under a clean energy project supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme.
Speaking at the event, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Barilule Nbani, said the project is a sequel to an earlier phase that powered 50 homes, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 150 households.
He noted that the intervention was structured to address the long-standing lack of electricity in the community, stressing that renewable energy offers both environmental and economic benefits.
“We are responding to a critical need. Access to clean energy will improve livelihoods and stimulate local economic activities,” he said.
In his remarks, the Mene of Buan Kaani, His Royal Highness, Godwin Barikpoa Apere, described the initiative as historic, noting that it represents the first organised electrification effort in the community.
“This is a major milestone for our people. For the first time, we are witnessing structured access to electricity in Kaani,” he said.
According to the Foundation, each solar unit installed can power multiple light bulbs, operate fans, and charge basic electronic devices, significantly improving the quality of life for residents.
Beneficiaries welcomed the development with excitement, celebrating what many described as a long-awaited intervention.
The installations were carried out by local trainees who previously participated in a solar training programme organised by the Foundation, a move aimed at ensuring sustainability and building technical capacity within the community.
The project highlights the growing role of community-driven initiatives in addressing energy poverty and advancing climate-resilient development in underserved parts of Nigeria.