By Comrade Dominic Ogakwu
For decades, millions of Nigerians living in rural and underserved communities have remained on the fringes of electricity access, limiting economic opportunities, healthcare delivery, education and overall development. Today, however, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), under the leadership of Dr. Abubakar Abba Aliyu, is spearheading transformative interventions aimed at changing that narrative through innovative renewable energy solutions and strategic partnerships.
In March 2026, Dr. Aliyu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, announced that the agency had successfully developed more than 1,000 mini-grids and 50 interconnected mini-grids across the country as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s persistent electricity access challenges. The initiative is expected to inject over 200 megawatts of electricity into the national grid while expanding energy access to underserved and unserved communities nationwide.
According to him, the Federal Government, through the $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, aims to catalyse approximately N1.1 trillion in private-sector investment to deploy about 1,350 mini-grids across the country. The initiative is designed to provide electricity to millions of Nigerians who have long remained beyond the reach of the national grid.
Since assuming leadership of the agency, Dr. Aliyu has demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation, strategic planning and results-driven service delivery. His tenure has been marked by significant milestones in expanding access to sustainable and reliable electricity, particularly in rural communities.
Before his substantive appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January 2025, Dr. Aliyu served as Acting Managing Director of the REA from March 2024. His confirmation reflected the confidence reposed in his leadership abilities, technical competence and dedication to advancing Nigeria’s rural electrification agenda.
A seasoned engineer and energy-development expert, Dr. Aliyu previously served as Head of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), where he oversaw the implementation of a $550 million financing facility jointly supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank. He also served as General Manager of Corporate Services, Projects and Research at the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Deputy General Manager at the organisation, and Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Power on Policy.
With more than two decades of experience spanning the energy, infrastructure, water resources and transportation sectors, Dr. Aliyu has established himself as one of Nigeria’s foremost experts in power-sector development. His career has been defined by active involvement in both on-grid and off-grid electrification initiatives, as well as policy formulation and institutional reforms.
His extensive experience informed President Tinubu’s decision to entrust him with the responsibility of driving the REA’s mandate of delivering sustainable electricity to rural communities in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Beyond the power sector, Dr. Aliyu has contributed to projects in the environment, banking, education and healthcare sectors. One of his notable achievements was securing approval for the $750 million DARES facility, which builds on the successes recorded under the Nigeria Electrification Project.
Under his leadership, the REA has continued to deepen energy access through landmark initiatives designed to support economic growth, improve social services and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to clean energy. The agency has strengthened collaborations with development partners, government institutions and private-sector stakeholders to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the country’s energy infrastructure.
Dr. Aliyu holds a PhD. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, with research contributions in power systems, renewable energy integration and sustainable infrastructure development. He has also served on several national committees on energy policy and climate action, earning recognition as a respected voice in Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
The significance of the REA’s work was highlighted by President Tinubu during his Democracy Day address on June 12, 2026. Reflecting on reforms undertaken in the electricity sector, the President noted that his administration inherited a deeply troubled industry but had initiated measures aimed at addressing longstanding structural challenges.
“To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act, which grants states authority to generate, transmit and distribute power,” the President stated.
He further disclosed that the Presidential Power Sector Task Force had been mandated to reduce the nation’s metering deficit and authorised to raise a N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts within the sector. President Tinubu also acknowledged the contributions of the REA in expanding electricity access across the country.
“The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets and hospitals,” he said.
For Dr. Aliyu, electricity is more than a public utility; it is a catalyst for socio-economic transformation. He has consistently advocated for universal access to reliable electricity, describing energy as the lifeblood of modern economies and a critical enabler of development.
Under his stewardship, the REA has recorded measurable impacts across key sectors. In healthcare, the agency has deployed solar-powered energy solutions to more than 260 healthcare facilities nationwide. These interventions have benefited over 89,000 maternity patients while contributing to a 65 per cent increase in outpatient care services.
Agriculture has also witnessed significant gains. Through stand-alone solar systems and solar-powered irrigation solutions, more than 5,000 farmers have improved productivity, while over 18,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have benefited from enhanced access to electricity.
“We have substantially contributed to economic growth through our targeted interventions, particularly within the agricultural value chain. We have installed over 600 kilowatts of solar systems in agricultural clusters and deployed 1,000 solar irrigation pumps, enabling the decommissioning of approximately 60 diesel generators,” Dr. Aliyu explained.
By reducing dependence on expensive and environmentally harmful diesel-powered equipment, these interventions have lowered operational costs for farmers, improved productivity and promoted sustainable agricultural practices. The ripple effects are contributing to increased incomes, job creation and rural economic development.
The agency’s achievements have also attracted significant support from development partners and investors. Under Dr. Aliyu’s leadership, REA programmes have leveraged more than $190 million in additional private-sector investments, alongside technical assistance and in-kind support from international partners.
These include the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), the European Union, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the USAID Power Africa programme, all of which have supported the agency’s efforts to deliver impactful energy solutions across Nigeria.
As Nigeria continues its quest for universal electricity access, the role of the Rural Electrification Agency remains increasingly vital. While challenges persist, the progress recorded under Dr. Abubakar Abba Aliyu demonstrates how visionary leadership, strategic partnerships and innovative renewable energy solutions can transform communities and unlock economic opportunities.
With thousands of households, businesses, schools and healthcare facilities already benefiting from improved energy access, the REA’s interventions are steadily narrowing Nigeria’s electricity gap. If sustained, these efforts could significantly advance the nation’s development objectives and bring the promise of reliable power closer to millions of Nigerians who have long remained in the dark.
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