The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) said it plans to provide electricity access for 25 million Nigerians within the next three years.The plan, according to the Managing Director of the Agency, Abba Aliyu, is part of the federal government’s commitment to bridging the energy access gap, particularly in underserved and off-grid communities.

He said the project would focus on deploying energy solutions, including mini-grids, to ensure sustainability and affordability, noting that the initiative is expected to drive economic growth.

Aliyu, during a TV morning show yesterday, emphasised the importance of a sustainable commercial framework on rural electrification while highlighting major funding commitments from international partners.

He explained that different solutions would be deployed based on regional and infrastructural needs, highlighting that 30 million Nigerians will receive electricity via isolated mini-grids, 1.5 million Nigerians will be connected through interconnected mini-grids while 12 million will benefit from mesh grids and standalone home systems. He added that the approach would accelerate electrification efforts while ensuring sustainability and efficiency.

“The current administration wants me to face this challenge of providing electricity to underserved Nigerians head-on. That is why the target we set for ourselves is to electrify 25 million Nigerians in the next three years as quickly as possible, providing electricity needs to have an inbuilt commercial framework,” he said.

Aliyu assured that the $750 million secured by the federal government from the World Bank to electrify 17.5 million Nigerians would be deployed well to maximise impact, with a structured plan on how implementation would proceed.

The REA boss pointed out the importance of incorporating commercial structures in ensuring long-term sustainability.

“I would like to make a very clear statement that any framework regarding electricity, any infrastructure framework designed to provide electricity for free is bound to fail. The cost of providing electricity, which is the tariff, must be cost-reflective because sustainability is key,” he said.