The Managing Director of the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, has disclosed an ambitious plan to provide electricity to 25 million Nigerians in a span of three years.
Speaking at an interview on Monday, Aliyu explained the the importance of a sustainable commercial framework for rural electrification.
Aliyu, who in January was appointed by Nigeria’s president Bola Tinubu to lead REA, said his top priority as the MD is creating electricity access and reliability for underserved communities.
“The present government wants me to face this challenge of providing electricity to underserved Nigerians head-on. That is why the target we set for ourselves is to electrify 25 million Nigerians in the next three years as quickly as possible,” he said.
To meet this target, Aliyu stated that the federal government signed a $750 million funding grant from the World Bank to provide 17.5 million Nigerians with electricity.
He stated that 30 million Nigerians will be provided with isolated mini grids, 1.5 million with inter-connected mini grids, and 12 million with mesh grids and standalone home systems.
These are the latest commitments by the REA following an earlier commitment to supply electricity to 1.5 million Nigerians with 40 interconnected mini-grids.
Moreover, there is the Rural Electrification Fund with a commitment to electrify 2.5 million Nigerians.
Aliyu also disclosed that there is another funding arrangement with African Development Bank under their Desert to Power Programme which will be used to electrify 5 million Nigerians. This will complement a $1.3 billion AfDB loan sought by Nigeria for electricity projects.
He stated that his larger goal “is to remove 25 million Nigerians from electricity poverty”.
“Another key focus is enhancing some strategic sectors of the Nigerian economy. Apart from providing electricity to people, we intend to enhance their socioeconomic livelihood by intervening in at least three critical sectors—education, health, and agriculture,” he stated.
He stated that to improve electricity access in the education sector, the REA has delivered hybrid mini grids in 7 universities and two teaching hospitals including the University of Abuja.
“In the University of Abuja, a 3- megawatt(MW) minigrid is working there providing the entire university with reliable clean 24/7 electricity”, Aliyu said.
He stated that the REA has commenced electrification in six other universities and one teaching hospital in the nation.
In the health sector, the MD said that the REA has delivered 100 containerised mini grids in 100 health institutions in the country.
He finally noted that his first act in office was to sign an agreement for the building of 23 mini-grids in agricultural hub areas.
