Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the Rural Electricity Agency (REA) to intensify its efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s progress towards universal electricity access.
In a recent meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima emphasized the need for the REA to enhance its outreach and public awareness efforts.
The REA, led by Managing Director/CEO Abba Aliyu, presented the National Electrification and Implementation Plan (NESIP) to Shettima. The Vice President expressed his support for the agency’s work but criticized its poor publicity, urging a major overhaul of its PR strategies. Shettima stressed the importance of collaboration with the National Economic Council (NEC) and state governors to drive the electrification of communities.
The REA has secured a $750 million grant from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support rural electrification projects across Nigeria. Aliyu highlighted that this grant, combined with ongoing efforts from a previous $550 million project, will significantly advance the agency’s goals.
Key projects include a 12-megawatt plant in Maiduguri, serving the University of Maiduguri and the Teaching Hospital, with plans to extend to the water treatment plant.
Shettima assured the REA of the NEC’s full support and encouraged the agency to engage the Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, for formal presentations at NEC meetings to secure governors’ buy-in.
Aliyu outlined the REA’s strategic focus on NESIP and the need for improved coordination with sub-national entities to effectively implement electrification across Nigeria.
