Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has urged the newly inaugurated governing board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to ensure that its decisions translate into tangible improvements in the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.

Tegbe made the call on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the seven-member REA governing board.

He said the agency’s performance should not be assessed solely by the amount of electricity generated, but by the number of communities and people gaining access to reliable power.

“We are moving from just counting kilowatts and megawatts to how many communities and people were powered in the country,” Tegbe said.

The minister described REA as an institution for expanding economic opportunities, saying electricity access could support human capital development and economic inclusion, particularly in underserved communities.

He said every mini-grid installed, solar home system deployed and market, school, primary healthcare centre, farm or productive enterprise connected to electricity represented an investment in national development.

Tegbe said the implementation of the Electricity Act and ongoing reforms in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry had made REA’s role increasingly important in extending electricity access beyond urban centres.

He urged the new board to provide strategic direction, strengthen institutional governance, protect public resources and deepen partnerships with development institutions and the private sector.

“Most importantly, I encourage you to continually ask one fundamental question whenever decisions come before the board: ‘How does this improve the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians?'” he said.

“If that question remains our compass, I have no doubt that the agency will continue to exceed expectations.”

The new board is chaired by former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose.

Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Makinta are the other non-executive members, while REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu and the agency’s three executive directors complete the board.

Speaking on behalf of the board, Fayose thanked President Bola Tinubu for the appointment and pledged to support efforts to expand electricity access across the country.

He said many of Nigeria’s electricity challenges were concentrated at the grassroots, adding that the board would work to mobilise resources needed to deliver power to more communities.

“Our assignment is beyond providing electricity. It is about ensuring that Nigerians feel the impact of energy,” Fayose said.

He also pledged to work towards securing adequate funding for the agency’s short- and long-term electrification programmes.