The Federal Government has announced a major boost in its clean energy programme, revealing that the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has attracted N5.8 billion in private sector investment aimed at expanding energy access in underserved communities.
Speaking at the “REF Call 3 Grant Award Signing Ceremony and Access to Finance Workshop” held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, said the agency’s interventions have already deployed over 124 mini-grids and 25,580 solar home systems across 183 communities nationwide.
“Today, we mark not just the beginning of a new chapter in the journey of the Rural Electrification Agency, but also a renewed commitment to transforming lives through sustainable and inclusive energy access,” Aliyu said.
“These interventions have created over 26,000 jobs and averted 91,720 tons of CO₂ emissions.”Aliyu, who was represented by the Executive Director of Corporate Service, Ayoade Adegboyega, noted that the agency had empowered 18,013 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and installed 16.6 megawatts of renewable energy capacity.
The REF, established under the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 and revitalised by the 2023 Electricity Act, continues to play a critical role in Nigeria’s electrification strategy.
Director of REF, Doris Uboh, highlighted the fund’s mission to electrify rural and peri-urban areas through sustainable, decentralised energy solutions.“We fund what matters—mini-grids and solar home systems that provide 24-hour access to reliable electricity and impact economic activities,” Uboh stated.
“Our mission is very clear: to ensure no Nigerian is left in the dark.”The REA urged the 58 newly signed developers to stick to strict project timelines, warning that delays would no longer be tolerated. “Timely, transparent communication with the Agency is not optional. It is expected,” Aliyu warned.
“As more players enter the field, innovation drives new benchmarks.”The latest phase, REF Call 3, aims to deepen energy access, especially for women-led businesses, MSMEs, and agricultural value chains.
“These achievements are not just data points,” Aliyu emphasized. “They represent lives empowered, classrooms illuminated, and health centres revived.”
