By Kingsley Benson
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has stepped up efforts to close Nigeria’s electricity access gap, deploying more than 200 mini-grids across underserved communities nationwide in 2025. The initiative forms part of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), which aims to provide reliable power to millions of Nigerians without access to the national grid.
Speaking at a media briefing in Kano, Mr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director of REA, said that the deployments represent a significant milestone in improving electricity supply for rural and off-grid communities. “The completion of the NEP demonstrates tangible progress in ensuring electricity reaches those who need it most,” he said.
Mr. Aliyu highlighted that the agency’s renewable energy initiatives gained momentum in 2025, supported by both ongoing and newly approved projects. A major boost came with presidential approval for the $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) project, which seeks to deploy 1,350 mini-grids, providing electricity to approximately 17.5 million Nigerians nationwide. “We are currently building over 900 mini-grids across the country, with a target of completing 1,350,” he said.
Beyond project deployment, the REA intensified collaboration with state governments through 21 state-specific roundtable meetings, an initiative described as unprecedented. According to Mr. Aliyu, these engagements provided data, partnership frameworks, and updates on ongoing electrification projects, aligning federal and state efforts for greater impact.
The agency also completed a nationwide electrification mapping exercise, identifying over 150,000 communities either without electricity or with unreliable supply. The mapping will guide the adoption of least-cost electrification solutions, ensuring efficiency and sustainability in the delivery of power.
Mr. Aliyu reiterated the agency’s commitment to expanding electricity access, noting that the current administration aims to provide power to 25 million Nigerians within the next three years. “The government wants me to tackle this challenge head-on. That is why we set the target to electrify 25 million Nigerians as quickly as possible,” he said.
The REA plans to employ a diversified strategy to reach these targets, tailored to regional and infrastructural realities: 30 million Nigerians are expected to receive electricity through isolated mini-grids, 1.5 million through interconnected mini-grids, and 12 million via mesh grids and standalone home systems. This mix is designed to accelerate electrification while maintaining long-term reliability.
In March, REA received approval to establish a renewable asset management company to ensure sustainability of its electrification interventions and the long-term viability of infrastructure. The move is expected to strengthen the agency’s capacity to manage projects efficiently and secure energy supply for rural and underserved communities over time.
With these initiatives, REA is steadily reshaping Nigeria’s power landscape, making electricity more accessible, reliable, and sustainable for millions of citizens who have long been off the grid.
