ABUJA – The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed a multi-stakeholder Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with key strategic partners aimed at accelerating access to clean, reliable, and sustainable energy for Nigeria’s unserved, underserved, and peri-urban communities.
The REA made the announcement in a press release on Sunday.
The signing ceremony, which took place in Abuja, represents a major advancement in expanding renewable energy solutions across vital institutions in Nigeria. Over the years, the REA has actively promoted sector coordination and implemented energy access projects in Nigeria, consistently fostering collaborative partnerships with government agencies, development finance institutions, and the private sector.
The new partnerships include collaborations with four government agencies: the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), National Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF). Additionally, the MoU involves over 20 Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) who have committed to utilizing their resources to advance large-scale, sustainable renewable energy in line with REA’s mission.
The REA’s Managing Director, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, emphasized the importance of coordination across the electricity value chain to address Nigeria’s power needs. “Strategic coordination between multiple players across the electricity value chain is essential for the successful implementation of energy access projects,” Aliyu said. He further noted that the REA’s mandate includes implementing the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NESIP), an integrated roadmap aimed at driving energy access.
According to the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap, the partnership with REA is a pivotal step for the NIS. She said, “Our technology-driven approach to border security is now empowered by clean energy solutions from the REA, enabling us to extend essential security services to border communities while enhancing safety and governance.”
NPTF Executive Secretary Mohammed Sheidu also lauded the REA’s efforts, stating that the agreement will strengthen the operational capabilities of the police. “By providing sustainable and reliable energy, this partnership will enhance the welfare and readiness of police personnel,” Sheidu remarked.
As the agency prepares to launch the $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme, underscored the role of RESCOs in ensuring off-grid electrification for rural communities. “RESCOs are critical to the REA’s mission of providing scalable and sustainable energy solutions across Nigeria,” Akinyelure said, highlighting that private sector investment will play a vital role in funding these initiatives.
Engr. Doris Udoh, Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), pointed out that the REA’s scale-up strategy is dedicated to addressing energy poverty in underserved sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture. “By optimizing renewable energy resources, we can bridge the energy gap more effectively,” she added, noting that the REA remains committed to technological advancement and investment in project implementation.
For the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), renewable energy has the potential to revolutionize agricultural productivity. Executive Secretary Muhammed Abu said that the partnership with REA would enable the use of “solar-powered irrigation systems and agricultural tools, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing productivity.”
The REA’s MoU also prioritizes capacity building, policy support, and creating an enabling environment for private-sector engagement in Nigeria’s energy projects. By enhancing collaboration between public and private sectors, the REA aims to boost investment and drive progress in Nigeria’s renewable energy landscape.
The REA, under the Federal Ministry of Power, is responsible for electrifying Nigeria’s unserved and underserved communities to catalyze economic growth and improve quality of life. Established under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) of 2005, the REA oversees several initiatives, including the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), Energizing Education Programme (EEP), and the Solar Power Naija (SPN) initiative, among others.
The agency’s role extends to creating a supportive environment for private sector-led projects by conducting feasibility assessments, energy audits, data analysis, and identifying qualified developers. The REA remains focused on realizing sustainable energy goals that align with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as outlined by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in the 2023 Electricity Act.
