Agency says Nigeria Electrification Project marks major milestone in closing electricity gap
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) says it deployed more than 200 mini-grids across underserved communities nationwide in 2025, strengthening efforts to expand access to electricity in rural and peri-urban areas.
The deployments were carried out between January and December under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), according to REA Managing Director, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, who disclosed the figures during a media briefing in Kano.
Aliyu described the completion of the NEP as a major achievement, noting that the project has significantly improved the reliability and availability of electricity for communities previously without access to the national grid.
He said the agency recorded substantial progress in renewable energy deployment during the year, driven by a mix of ongoing initiatives and newly approved projects.
Among the major developments in 2025, Aliyu 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 nationwide.
According to him, the DARES project is expected to provide electricity to about 17.5 million Nigerians once fully implemented.
“We are currently constructing over 900 mini-grids across the country, with a target of 1,350,” Aliyu said.
Beyond infrastructure rollout, the REA managing director said the agency strengthened collaboration with state governments by holding state-by-state electrification roundtable meetings in 21 states, an engagement he described as unprecedented.
He explained that the meetings helped align federal and state electrification plans by providing data-driven insights, partnership frameworks, and updates on ongoing and planned power projects.
Aliyu also disclosed that the agency completed a nationwide electrification mapping exercise, identifying more than 150,000 communities either without electricity or with unreliable supply. The data, he said, will guide the deployment of least-cost and sustainable electrification solutions across the country.
Reaffirming the agency’s mandate, Aliyu said REA remains committed to delivering reliable and sustainable electricity to rural and underserved Nigerians.
Ambitious Electrification Targets
Earlier this year, the REA managing director announced plans to provide electricity to 25 million Nigerians within three years, describing the target as a key priority of the current administration.
He explained that the electrification drive would adopt a mix of solutions based on regional needs and infrastructure realities.
Under the strategy:
- 30 million Nigerians are expected to gain access through isolated mini-grids
- 1.5 million Nigerians will be connected via interconnected mini-grids
- 12 million Nigerians will benefit from mesh grids and standalone solar home systems
Aliyu said the diversified approach is designed to accelerate access while ensuring efficiency and long-term sustainability.
In March, the REA also received approval to establish a renewable asset management company, aimed at maintaining electrification infrastructure and ensuring the long-term viability of the agency’s interventions.
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