Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has formalized partnerships with various government agencies and private renewable energy service companies (RESCOs) to enhance electricity access across the country.
The signing of multiple memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in Abuja on Friday marks a major step in the REA’s goal to generate 1,000 megawatts of solar-based electricity within three years, a move that could reshape energy distribution in urban and rural Nigeria.
REA’s managing director, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, highlighted that the collaboration would not only alleviate electricity challenges but also harness new private sector investment, catalyzed by the federal government’s $750 million World Bank loan intended as seed capital.
The agency projects that the initial funds will attract an additional $1.1 billion from private investors, sparking major development in renewable energy.
Aliyu noted that the partnership transcends the formalities of signing agreements, stressing that it represents a coordinated strategy to address Nigeria’s urgent energy needs.
The initiative follows Nigeria’s recent Electricity Act of 2023, which decentralized the nation’s electricity sector and promoted a more competitive environment.
The new legislative backdrop enables the REA to pursue targeted sectoral support, fostering a decentralized approach to electrification.
According to Aliyu, the REA is mandated to create a National Electricity Strategy and Implementation Plan, which would involve a bottom-up approach by mapping community infrastructure and integrating local energy needs into a broader national plan.
“This strategic framework will prioritize crucial sectors such as education, healthcare, and agriculture, with agencies like the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) playing key roles in ensuring electricity access is extended to even the remotest areas of Nigeria,” he stated.
The signed MOUs include commitments from key government bodies, notably the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) and the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), as well as partnerships with nine RESCOs.
For the Nigerian Police Trust Fund, the objective is to provide sustainable and reliable solar energy to police stations, training centres, and barracks, reducing reliance on Nigeria’s notoriously unstable national power grid.
Mohammed Sheidu, the NPTF executive secretary, emphasized that renewable energy would secure a stable power supply essential for the efficient operation of the nation’s police force, thus enhancing public safety and security.
The partnerships mark a strategic move towards clean energy, with plans to electrify the infrastructure of these government agencies while aligning with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope agenda, a national development blueprint emphasizing sustainability and economic resilience.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), also included in this initiative, hopes that dependable renewable energy will support its expansive digital infrastructure for border management and control, which includes technology-driven border surveillance systems and a Tier 4 data centre.
NIS Comptroller-General Kemi Nana Nandap stated that reliable energy would enable the service to maintain critical systems like eGates at airports and command centres, adding that the new system aligns well with the broader goal of national security.
The RESCO model, which is central to REA’s renewable energy plans, offers a collaborative structure for implementing sustainable energy solutions across underserved communities in Nigeria.
This model not only draws in private investment but also incorporates a flexible payment system, including pay-as-you-go options for low-income households and small businesses, allowing for scalable and sustainable off-grid electrification.
Head of the Nigeria Electrification Project, Olufemi Akinyelure, explained that RESCOs, supported by REA’s regulatory framework and financial backing, will be responsible for deploying these projects while ensuring they remain accessible and affordable to communities.
