Vice President Shettima Commends REA MD, Management on Electrification Efforts

Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated the Managing Director Abba Aliyu and management of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for their ongoing efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s journey towards universal electricity access.

During a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, VP Shettima endorsed REA’s proposal to collaborate with the National Economic Council (NEC) and state governors to expand electricity access to communities across the country.

Addressing the REA delegation, led by Managing Director Abba Aliyu, VP Shettima expressed his admiration for the agency’s achievements while urging them to intensify their efforts. He emphasized the vital link between electricity access and financial inclusion, underscoring the importance of the REA’s work in meeting the aspirations of Nigerians.

“The most startling revelation of this presentation has to do with the correlation between access to electricity and financial inclusion. Hence, I believe our job is cut out for us, and I want to assure you that we are going to partner with your agency so that we can meet the aspiration of the Nigerian people for access to electricity,” VP Shettima said.

While commending the REA for its significant progress, VP Shettima
approved REA’s request to engage NEC and state governors, instructing the management to work with the Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, to make a formal presentation at an upcoming NEC meeting.

He stressed that securing the involvement of governors is crucial to the success of the electrification drive.

Earlier, Managing Director Abba Aliyu detailed the agency’s funding sources, including a $750 million grant from the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) for rural electrification projects. He outlined ongoing initiatives, such as the 12 megawatts plant in Maiduguri, which is set to benefit the University of Maiduguri and the Teaching Hospital.

Aliyu also highlighted REA’s strategic focus areas, including the National Electrification and Strategic Implementation Plan (NESIP), which aligns with the federal government’s vision for sustainable energy development.

Vice President Shettima praised the REA’s commitment and encouraged continued efforts towards achieving nationwide electrification goals, reinforcing Nigeria’s progress towards greater socio-economic development.