Ondo State Government has launched the Lucky Light Initiative, a new solar empowerment programme designed to provide free solar energy support to 1,000 businesses across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Follow us on Google News
The initiative is one of the flagship economic empowerment programmes under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration and is aimed at helping Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) reduce the rising cost of electricity and dependence on fuel-powered generators.
According to details released about the programme, selected businesses will receive complete solar power systems including solar panels, inverter systems, battery storage, charge controllers, and installation support.
The government said the initiative is expected to improve business operations, reduce energy costs, and support enterprise growth across Ondo State.
BusinessDay reports that the programme will be implemented in phases over a five-year period and will cover businesses operating in key sectors including agro-processing, food production, fashion, ICT, retail, digital services, and the creative industry.
Stakeholders described the Lucky Light Initiative as more than just an electricity intervention, noting that the programme is designed to stimulate grassroots economic growth and strengthen local business ecosystems across the state.
“This initiative is not only about providing power. It is about creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to the state economy,” stakeholders said.
The programme aligns with Governor Aiyedatiwa’s “OUR EASE” Agenda, which focuses on entrepreneurship development, industrial growth, affordable energy access, and economic prosperity.
For many small business owners in Nigeria, electricity remains one of the biggest operational challenges. High fuel prices and unstable power supply continue to affect productivity and increase the cost of doing business, especially for SMEs and startups.
Experts believe the Lucky Light Initiative could significantly reduce those pressures for participating businesses.
According to projections linked to the programme, businesses benefiting from the solar systems may reduce their energy costs by as much as 70 percent. Productivity and operating hours are also expected to increase by between 30 and 60 percent due to improved access to reliable electricity.
Economic analysts further estimate that the initiative could generate more than N2 billion in additional annual economic value for Ondo State by supporting business expansion, improving productivity, and creating employment opportunities.
Beyond the economic benefits, the programme is also expected to encourage clean energy adoption and reduce reliance on fossil fuel-powered generators.
The Ondo State Government said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business in the state while positioning Ondo as a leader in renewable energy-driven enterprise development in Nigeria.
Business owners across the state have already expressed optimism about the programme, with many describing it as a timely intervention considering the current economic realities facing SMEs and startups.
Although full application details have not yet been announced, preparations for implementation are already ongoing across the state.
With the launch of the Lucky Light Initiative, Ondo State joins the growing number of Nigerian states exploring renewable energy solutions to support entrepreneurship, strengthen local economies, and provide long-term support for MSMEs.
