Vice President Shettima Reviews Nigeria’s National Electrification Strategy With REA Leadership

In a significant development for Nigeria’s energy sector, Vice President Kashim Shettima received the Managing Director/CEO and Executive Management team of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for a briefing on the nation’s electrification initiatives. During the meeting, the MD presented the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NESIP) to the Vice President, outlining the country’s strategic approach to enhancing electricity access.

The Executive Director of Technical Services provided an overview of the REA’s 2023 Capital Projects implementation report, highlighting the agency’s achievements and ongoing efforts to expand energy access across Nigeria.

The REA team emphasized the importance of continued investment and funding to scale up energy access projects. They reported on their success in securing a $750 million grant from the World Bank for the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) Programme. This initiative, described as the largest public sector-funded energy access programme, aims to significantly boost electricity availability in rural areas and is set to launch this year.

Additionally, the REA’s leadership updated Vice President Shettima on the progress of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) Phase 2, a transformative initiative designed to provide clean and sustainable energy to federal universities and university teaching hospitals. One of the flagship projects under EEP Phase 2, a 12MW solar hybrid power plant at the University of Maiduguri, is nearing completion and will soon supply reliable power to the institution.

In response to the REA’s request to collaborate with the National Economic Council (NEC) on rural electrification projects nationwide, Vice President Shettima granted approval, fostering a more integrated approach to improving energy access in underserved areas. This partnership with the NEC and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum will enhance coordination and accelerate the implementation of rural electrification projects across the country.

The meeting underscored the government’s commitment to expanding energy access through strategic partnerships and innovative projects, aiming to drive sustainable development and economic growth in Nigeria’s rural communities.