The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria has taken a pivotal step towards enhancing energy access across underserved communities, signing a multi-stakeholder Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with government agencies and Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs).
The historic agreement, aimed at transforming the clean energy landscape, was formalized in Abuja, marking a critical phase in Nigeria’s sustainable energy drive.
In a bid to expand renewable energy solutions to unserved, underserved, and peri-urban areas, the REA partnered with four government entities: the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), National Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).
The MoU also includes over 20 RESCOs, each committed to providing sustainable, utility-scale energy solutions in line with REA’s mission.
The REA’s Managing Director/CEO, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts in addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges, as outlined in the 2023 Electricity Act.
Aliyu described the MoU as a strategic move to boost data-driven, sector-specific electrification plans, asserting that,
“The REA has been tasked with implementing the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NESIP), requiring strategic partnerships across various sectors to deliver on our mandate effectively.”
REA’s new collaborations align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the government’s blueprint for the energy sector.
Aliyu reiterated the Agency’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions that reduce CO2 emissions, lower operational costs, and broaden Nigeria’s clean energy footprint.
Among the partners, Comptroller General of Immigration Service (CGIS) Kemi Nanna Nandap praised the REA collaboration, noting that clean energy will help sustain NIS’s advanced data centers and technological infrastructure.
Nandap highlighted the significance of solar-powered infrastructure in bolstering border security and engagement with rural border communities, calling the partnership “a game-changer for the NIS.”
Similarly, Mohammed Sheidu, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), emphasized the transformative role of renewable energy for police facilities nationwide.
“Our partnership with REA ensures dependable energy for police operations, enhancing security and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources,” Sheidu said, noting that the MoU creates a framework for electrifying key police installations.
The MoU also aims to address Nigeria’s agricultural energy needs.
According to NADF’s Executive Secretary Muhammed Abu, the REA’s renewable solutions will power solar-driven irrigation and harvesting technologies, vital for boosting food production and reducing post-harvest losses.
Abu highlighted that renewable energy infrastructure will be central to agricultural productivity and year-round farming.
The REA’s Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES), a $750 million program set to launch soon, also received significant attention during the signing.
Olufemi Akinyelure, head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), explained that RESCOs are essential to achieving the Agency’s off-grid electrification goals.
“Beyond government funding, catalyzing private financing is essential,” Akinyelure said, emphasizing the importance of private sector investment in scaling renewable energy across Nigeria.
Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Engr. Doris Udoh, highlighted REA’s objective to close Nigeria’s energy gap through renewable sources, particularly in rural areas and key sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture.
“Our goal is to alleviate energy poverty and provide scalable solutions that keep pace with technological advancements,” Udoh stated.
The partnership will not only address energy needs but also support capacity building, policy frameworks, and create a conducive environment for private investment in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.
Established under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005, the REA is responsible for promoting energy access in unserved and underserved communities across Nigeria.
The Agency oversees projects such as the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), and Solar Power Naija, among others, aimed at fostering private-sector-led energy solutions and sustainable rural electrification.
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