Nigeria’s electricity access drive ranks among world’s largest, says REA MD
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, has said Nigeria’s electricity access programme has grown into one of the most ambitious infrastructure initiatives globally, rivalled
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, has said Nigeria’s electricity access programme has grown into one of the most ambitious infrastructure initiatives globally, rivalled in scale only by India’s nationwide electrification drive.
Aliyu made the disclosure during a panel session at the recently concluded Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), where he highlighted the scale, urgency and execution progress of Nigeria’s ongoing electricity access agenda, with mini-grids playing a central role in strengthening national energy resilience.
Speaking on the theme “Reliable, Sustainable & Inclusive Power for Africa’s Future,” the REA Managing Director said the programme has transitioned from policy formulation to large-scale delivery, driven by a structured implementation pipeline.
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According to him, the Agency is currently developing more than 1,000 mini-grids across the country, targeting electricity connections for over 17.5 million Nigerians.
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The rollout covers both isolated mini-grids for previously unserved communities and interconnected mini-grids for underserved areas, many of which are integrated with battery storage to improve reliability and provide backup during grid disruptions.
Aliyu explained that mini-grids are increasingly being deployed as critical resilience infrastructure, supporting economic clusters, social services and strategic zones, while complementing and strengthening the national grid.
He also outlined REA’s interventions in public institutions, citing flagship projects such as the 8-megawatt floating solar plant at the University of Lagos and hybrid power systems deployed at the University of Port Harcourt, University of Maiduguri, Obafemi Awolowo University and Ahmadu Bello University, among others.
According to Aliyu, these projects are not only expanding electricity access but are also improving productivity, strengthening healthcare delivery, enhancing educational outcomes and supporting long-term institutional sustainability.
