The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has deployed more than 200 mini-grids across underserved communities in 2025, marking a significant boost to Nigeria’s drive to expand electricity access.
Abba Abubakar Aliyu, REA Managing Director, disclosed this at a media briefing in Kano, noting that the deployments were executed under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) between January and December 2025.
According to Aliyu, the completion of the NEP phase represents a major milestone in improving the reliability and reach of electricity supply, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Aliyu said REA recorded substantial progress in renewable energy deployment during the year, driven by both ongoing and newly approved initiatives.
He revealed that President Bola Tinubu approved the $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) project, which targets the deployment of 1,350 mini-grids to provide electricity to about 17.5 million Nigerians nationwide. “We are currently building over 900 mini-grids across the country, and our target is to reach 1,350,” Aliyu said.
Beyond infrastructure rollout, the REA strengthened partnerships with subnational governments, engaging 21 states through state-by-state roundtable sessions—an initiative Aliyu described as unprecedented.
He said the engagements equipped states with data, partnership frameworks, and updates on electrification projects, helping to better align federal and state power interventions.
The agency also completed a nationwide electrification mapping exercise, identifying over 150,000 communities either without electricity or with unreliable supply. The data, Aliyu explained, will support the adoption of least-cost and sustainable electrification solutions.
He reaffirmed REA’s commitment to delivering sustainable and reliable power to rural and underserved communities across the country.
In February, Aliyu unveiled plans to provide electricity to 25 million Nigerians within three years, describing the task as a core mandate of the current administration.
To achieve this, REA plans to deploy a mix of solutions:
- 30 million Nigerians to be served through isolated mini-grids
- 1.5 million Nigerians through interconnected mini-grids
- 12 million Nigerians via mesh grids and standalone home systems
This diversified strategy, he said, is designed to accelerate electrification while ensuring efficiency and long-term sustainability.
In March, the agency also received approval to establish a renewable asset management company, aimed at sustaining electrification investments and ensuring the long-term viability of power infrastructure nationwide.
