The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has delivered electricity access to approximately eight million Nigerians under the Nigeria Electrification Project, the agency’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Abba Aliyu, has said.

He added that millions more are expected to benefit over the next three years.
“There are reports that many Nigerians don’t have access to electricity. But under the Nigeria Electrification Project, we have provided electricity to eight million Nigerians. We also have a programme that is targeting 17.5 million people. So, in three years, 17.5 million people will also be out of darkness,” Aliyu said.

Nigeria has long faced challenges in providing reliable electricity, with an estimated 90 million people, particularly in rural areas, lacking access to power. According to Aliyu, the REA’s work has focused on closing this energy deficit, particularly in communities distant from the national grid.

The agency is implementing solar-powered mini-grids and has already electrified eight universities. Aliyu stated that 42 interconnected mini-grids are planned, with six already operational in Osun, Plateau, Cross River, and Niger States. “We are currently working on deploying 42 interconnected mini-grids, and six have already been completed,” he said.

Projects are being executed under the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative, with agreements signed to power universities including the University of Lagos, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, and University of Nigeria Nsukka.

Aliyu highlighted that the initiative is private-sector driven, with capital grants used to incentivise operators. “We are moving away from the traditional concept of government issuing contracts. What we are doing is incentivising the private sector to deploy infrastructure. This ensures sustainability because they have their own money at stake,” he explained.

The REA’s work complements broader federal efforts to expand electricity generation. Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, previously stated that the government is intensifying initiatives to provide electricity to more Nigerians through multiple energy sources.