…the REA insists that Nigeria is on the right track to reducing its electricity poverty ranking.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, has disclosed that Nigeria is ranked second in the world after India in terms of the number of people without access to electricity.
Aliyu made this revelation on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, where he described the situation as a pressing challenge but insisted that the current administration has designed a structured plan to tackle what he termed “electricity poverty” in the country.
Citing a recent report published by The Economist, the REA boss said:
“I recently came across a post by The Economist which showed that only India has more people without electricity access than Nigeria. But unlike many other countries, Nigeria now has a well-structured plan to address this challenge.”
Clarifying the role of the agency, Aliyu explained that the REA does not manage power distribution within the national grid system. Instead, its mandate is focused on off-grid and underserved communities, particularly in rural areas where millions of Nigerians still live without electricity.
“If you have a problem with your Disco (Distribution Company), that’s not within our mandate,” he said. “Our focus is on communities without access to electricity, places that are not served by the grid and have remained in darkness for decades.”
The REA chief stressed that the agency was set up to complement the work of power distribution companies by delivering renewable energy solutions to hard-to-reach and economically disadvantaged areas that would otherwise be neglected.
Speaking on ongoing projects, Aliyu highlighted the Distributed Access to Renewable Energy Scale (DARES) initiative, which he described as the largest public renewable energy project in the world.
According to him, the programme, supported by a $750 million facility, is expected to deliver clean and affordable electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians currently living without power supply.
“This programme is not only the largest in Nigeria but the largest globally,” Aliyu said. “It will bring energy access to millions of households and small businesses, enabling them to power their lives, schools, hospitals, and economic activities.”
The DARES project is designed to leverage solar and other renewable technologies to provide sustainable electricity, particularly in communities far removed from the national grid. By targeting underserved areas, the REA hopes to reduce Nigeria’s staggering electricity deficit, drive economic growth, and improve quality of life in rural regions.
Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy and one of its biggest oil producers, has continued to grapple with a massive electricity gap. According to the World Bank, about 86 million Nigerians, nearly 43 percent of the population, live without access to electricity, making the country one of the largest contributors to global energy poverty.
Experts argue that the electricity deficit hampers economic development, discourages investment, and contributes to high levels of unemployment and poverty. For rural communities, the lack of power supply means reduced access to healthcare, limited education opportunities, and stunted growth of small-scale enterprises.
Aliyu, however, expressed optimism that with structured plans like DARES and other mini-grid initiatives, the situation would change in the coming years.
He commended the Tinubu administration for prioritizing renewable energy and expanding off-grid solutions as part of its broader power sector reforms. He noted that the REA is already working with local and international partners to implement projects across the country.
“The commitment is clear,” Aliyu added. “This administration understands the importance of electricity access as a driver of economic growth and poverty reduction. That is why the REA is receiving unprecedented support to scale up renewable energy solutions.”
Stakeholders in the energy sector believe that if effectively implemented, initiatives like DARES could transform Nigeria’s electricity landscape, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and bring the country closer to achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While challenges such as funding, policy consistency, and infrastructure maintenance remain, the REA insists that Nigeria is on the right track to reducing its electricity poverty ranking and ensuring that millions of citizens enjoy the benefits of modern energy.
