REA Targets Electricity Access for 17.5 Million Nigerians — MD

The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, has announced that the agency is implementing several initiatives to provide electricity access to at least 17.5 million Nigerians.

Aliyu disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during activities marking the 2025 Customer Service Week, organised by the agency in collaboration with SERVICOM.

He said the REA had already deployed numerous mini-grids across the country and was executing multiple programmes to expand electricity access in rural and underserved communities.

“We are working on a programme to provide electricity access to 17.5 million Nigerians. It’s an ambitious goal,” he said. “Under the Rural Electrification Fund, we have deployed more than 50 mini-grids, while the Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme has delivered 11 mini-grids so far. These are in addition to several transformers, power lines, and solar home systems.”

Aliyu added that over 10 million Nigerians have already benefited from the agency’s interventions in the last five years under the Nigeria Electrification Programme, noting that the impact will continue to grow as new projects are rolled out.

He described Customer Service Week as an opportunity for reflection and performance evaluation, saying the agency’s mandate is to deliver reliable electricity to over 80 million Nigerians who currently lack access.

“This week allows us to ask ourselves critical questions: Are we providing quality service? Are we efficient and affordable? We take pride in the progress we’ve made, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of expanding electricity access nationwide,” he said.

Aliyu cited a recent success in Balanga, Gombe State, where a rural community without power for more than three decades is now being electrified through a 620-kilowatt project implemented in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.

REA’s Executive Director of Technical Services, Umar Umar, highlighted the agency’s growing achievements, noting that in the past year alone, it deployed more mini-grids than ever before.

“For the first time, we are delivering 40 megawatts of mini-grid power within a single budget year. We are also installing solar home systems, streetlights, and electric vehicle charging stations — all of which are improving the lives of millions of Nigerians,” he said.

The Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund, Doris Ubo, said the agency executed about 50 mini-grid projects between 2016 and 2022, expanding to more than 124 mini-grids nationwide.

“We have developed both interconnected and isolated mini-grids and solar home systems to reach last-mile communities. Recently, we launched a project covering 3,700 communities, expected to deliver 370 megawatts of clean energy and impact over 40 million people,” Ubo said.

REA’s Executive Director of Corporate Services, Ayo Adegboyega, reaffirmed that the agency’s mission is to close the energy access gap by reaching unserved and underserved populations.

“Our goal is to ensure that no community is left in darkness. We continue to extend the grid and deploy renewable energy solutions nationwide,” he said.

Adegboyega also spoke on the agency’s Energising Education Programme, which provides dedicated power supply to universities and polytechnics.

“We have delivered power projects at the University of Benin, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and the University of Calabar, and we’re extending the initiative to Obafemi Awolowo University and several polytechnics,” he said.

The Acting Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, and REA SERVICOM Focal Officer, Eworo Echeng, commended the agency’s staff for their dedication to improving the quality of life in rural areas.

“In celebrating Customer Service Week, we acknowledge the individuals and teams delivering exceptional results. Beyond electricity, our work is about transforming lives and empowering communities through sustainable energy,” he said.