The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission under the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), securing grant funding for the electrification of 15 public health and education facilities across Nigeria using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

The agreement, signed on Monday, is aimed at expanding off-grid electricity solutions to critical public institutions.

The grant support from ECOWAS, according to the agreement, will fund the deployment of solar PV systems to rural health centres and schools located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger and Nasarawa states.

Following the signing of the REA-ECOWAS MoU, REA also entered into a separate agreement with the Niger State Government to facilitate state-level collaboration and co-financing for selected project sites within the state, further deepening subnational participation in the initiative.

The ECOWAS partnership formally commences Nigeria’s pilot implementation phase under ROGEAP, a regional initiative supported by the World Bank to expand off-grid electricity access across West Africa and the Sahel. Under the agreement, ECOWAS will provide a $700,000 grant to support the installations, with REA serving as the technical and financial implementing agency.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of REA, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the agreement as a clear example of regional cooperation driving national development outcomes.

“This partnership with ECOWAS reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to expanding reliable electricity access to critical public institutions. Electrifying health centres and schools means improving healthcare delivery, enhancing learning conditions, and strengthening community development,” he said.

Reflecting on the broader regional implications, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, underscored the strategic importance of the pilot phase.

“This pilot phase in Nigeria is a cornerstone of our regional strategy to eliminate energy poverty. By providing sustainable solar solutions to schools and clinics, we are not just lighting up buildings; we are powering the future of West Africa,” he said.

Alieu stressed that this collaboration with the REA demonstrates how regional grants can be effectively localised to touch the lives of the most vulnerable citizens.

To ensure efficient execution, a dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established within REA. The unit will work in close coordination with the ROGEAP Project Implementation Unit and an established Steering Committee to provide oversight, monitoring, and institutional alignment.

In alignment with the ECOWAS agreement, REA’s MoU with the Niger State Government is designed to enable access to ECOWAS funding and provide counterpart support for project sites within the state. The state government will collaborate with REA on coordination, co-financing, and monitoring of installations across selected facilities.

Expressing support for the subnational partnership, the Governor of Niger State, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago, said that by implementing these solar projects, Niger State is ensuring that its rural health and educational facilities have the reliable power needed to serve the people effectively.

“Our partnership with the REA is a testament to our administration’s ‘New Niger’ agenda, which prioritises sustainable infrastructure. We remain committed to providing the necessary counterpart support to make this initiative a lasting success,” he said.

The dual-layered partnership structure, regional collaboration with ECOWAS and subnational cooperation with Niger State are expected to strengthen institutional coordination and ensure efficient delivery of the pilot phase.

Beyond infrastructure deployment, the project is projected to enhance energy reliability in rural public facilities, reduce dependence on diesel generators, cut operational costs and accelerate clean energy adoption in alignment with Nigeria’s national energy transition objectives.