In a country where electricity is more than a utility, it is the heartbeat of progress, the work of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) stands as one of Nigeria’s most under-celebrated success stories. For decades, rural communities have lived in darkness, their dreams dimmed by a lack of access to power. Yet, in the last few years, a quiet transformation has begun, one driven by vision, accountability, and the unwavering belief that light should not be a privilege but a right.
At the center of this transformation is Abba Abubakar Aliyu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA. His leadership has not only repositioned the agency but has also restored public confidence in what government institutions can achieve when guided by integrity and purpose.
When he was appointed the substantive Managing Director by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January 2025, many in the energy sector already knew him as a man of quiet competence. Having served as Acting MD since 2024, and with over two decades of experience in the energy and power sectors, he brought with him a reputation for precision, reform, and a deep understanding of Nigeria’s energy challenges.
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His journey through the corridors of the power industry, from the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading PLC to the Nigeria Electrification Project and later as General Manager at the REA, equipped him with both technical and managerial depth to lead one of Nigeria’s most complex development missions: bringing power to the unserved and underserved. But beyond his résumé, what sets Abba Aliyu apart is his belief that electrification is not just about infrastructure, it is about dignity.
Under his leadership, the REA has redefined what it means to deliver results. One of his earliest priorities was addressing an old sore: the numerous abandoned projects scattered across the country. These projects, often left to rot due to poor supervision or inadequate funding, had long eroded public trust. His response was both firm and transparent. No more abandoned projects under REA supervision. Contractors were re-mobilised, debts were cleared, and communities that had waited for years began to see poles rise again, transformers installed, and light restored. In a nation weary of promises, this visible action became a symbol of renewed credibility, proof that public institutions could indeed deliver.
The numbers tell part of the story. Through the Nigeria Electrification Project and other REA initiatives, over eight million Nigerians have now gained access to electricity, many for the first time in their lives. The agency’s goal under Abba’s leadership is to double that figure, reaching seventeen and a half million Nigerians in the coming years.
The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has also become a model for public-private collaboration. Through it, the agency has attracted over ₦5.8 billion in private investment, powering 124 mini-grids, installing over 25,000 solar home systems, and supporting more than 18,000 small businesses. These efforts have not only brought power but have also created 26,000 jobs and reduced carbon emissions by nearly 92,000 tonnes of CO₂, a direct contribution to Nigeria’s climate commitments.
Behind these statistics are real human stories. A farmer in Katsina can now irrigate his crops using solar-powered pumps. A midwife in Benue finally has stable light for night deliveries. A young entrepreneur in Kebbi now runs a frozen food business powered by an REA mini-grid. These are stories of hope, growth, and renewed possibility. They are what make development tangible and human.
Perhaps the most defining aspect of Abba Aliyu’s leadership is his emphasis on collaboration and sustainability. The REA is no longer seen merely as a government bureaucracy; it has become a credible partner in Nigeria’s renewable energy landscape. Through strategic partnerships such as the 250-megawatt Decentralised Renewable Energy Agreement with EM-One Renewable Energy Ltd, and the memorandum of understanding with Husk Power Systems for rural electrification, the REA has positioned itself as a hub of innovation and ambition.
His focus on localisation also marks a significant shift. He has been deliberate in encouraging local production of solar panels and components to boost employment and reduce import dependency. His visit to a 100-megawatt solar panel plant in Lagos underscored his belief that Nigeria’s energy future must be Nigerian-built and Nigerian-led.
Once seen as a slow-moving government agency, the REA is now being redefined by a culture of transparency, measurable impact, and people-centered delivery. Its 2023 Capital Project Implementation Report highlighted a new tone of openness, publishing data on completed and ongoing projects and establishing systems for monitoring and evaluation to ensure that every naira spent translates to visible light in rural Nigeria. This renewed image has not gone unnoticed. The agency is earning respect across Africa as a model for decentralised energy deployment, proving that with the right leadership, public institutions can drive genuine transformation in the power sector.
There is something profoundly human about watching a village light up for the first time. Children stay up to study. Market women extend their trading hours. Security improves. Families gather not around lanterns but around dreams that finally seem achievable. Abba Aliyu’s leadership represents more than an administrative achievement; it is a restoration of hope. His work embodies a silent revolution that replaces frustration with possibility, darkness with opportunity, and isolation with inclusion.
The image of the REA today is not just that of a government agency providing electricity; it is that of a national movement reconnecting people to progress. As Nigeria continues to chase the goal of universal electricity access, the Rural Electrification Agency under Abba Abubakar Aliyu stands as a testament to what is possible when leadership meets vision and vision meets action. His journey, marked by transparency, partnerships, and a human-centered approach, is redefining the narrative of rural electrification from one of neglect to one of renewal and pride.
In lighting up rural Nigeria, Abba Aliyu and his team are not just powering homes, they are illuminating futures. And in that light, the image of the REA glows brighter than ever before.
