Fayose takes over as REA board Chairman, vows to deliver unprecedented rural electrification

Stanley Ihedigbo

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has officially assumed office as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), pledging to mobilise the political support and resources needed to expand electricity access to millions of Nigerians, particularly those in underserved rural communities.

Fayose was inaugurated on Friday in Abuja by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, alongside other members of the agency’s governing board, including Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar, Mr. Ilyasu Makinta, three other non-executive directors, and the Managing Director of the agency, Abba Aliyu.

Speaking shortly after the inauguration, Fayose expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in the board members, assuring Nigerians that the new leadership would justify the trust placed in them.

He said the board was committed to repositioning the Rural Electrification Agency for greater efficiency and impact by ensuring that adequate funding and political backing are secured to execute both its short-term and long-term programmes.

According to him, work has already commenced, with the board engaging relevant stakeholders to fast-track the implementation of projects aimed at improving electricity access across the country.

“I want to assure Nigerians that the expectations surrounding my appointment and that of my colleagues will not be disappointed. We are determined to give our best in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and making life better for all Nigerians,” Fayose stated.

The former governor observed that many of the nation’s electricity challenges are concentrated at the grassroots, stressing that the agency’s responsibility goes beyond simply extending power supply.

He explained that REA must also ensure that electricity translates into improved livelihoods, economic growth and better living conditions for rural residents.

“Our assignment is not just about providing electricity. It is about reaching the people, impacting communities, and ensuring that every Nigerian feels the benefits of reliable energy. When this happens, people will forever appreciate the role of the Rural Electrification Agency,” he added.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu, thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, promising that the agency would continue to intensify efforts to extend electricity to both unserved and underserved communities across the federation.

Aliyu reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to accelerating rural electrification projects through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships.

Earlier, Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, charged the newly inaugurated board to provide strategic leadership and ensure that the agency remains focused on delivering measurable results.

According to the minister, Nigeria’s electricity sector is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting attention from merely measuring installed generation capacity to evaluating the number of communities and citizens whose lives are positively impacted by electricity.

“We are moving from simply counting kilowatts and megawatts to counting how many communities and people have been empowered through electricity. The Rural Electrification Agency is fundamentally an institution for expanding opportunity,” Tegbe said.

He noted that every mini-grid commissioned, every solar home system deployed, and every market, school, healthcare facility, farm or productive enterprise connected to electricity represents a direct investment in economic development, human capital and national prosperity.

Tegbe explained that with the implementation of the Electricity Act and ongoing reforms in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, the role of REA has become even more critical as the bridge between national power policies and grassroots development.

According to him, the agency has the responsibility of ensuring that the benefits of ongoing power sector reforms extend beyond urban centres to the remotest communities across the country.

The minister described the inauguration of the new governing board as another demonstration of President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening governance, accountability and institutional excellence across public agencies.

He urged the board members to provide sound policy direction, strengthen institutional governance, protect public resources and foster productive collaborations with development partners and private sector investors.

Tegbe further challenged the board to ensure that every decision taken is guided by one fundamental objective—improving the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.

“If that question remains our compass,” he said, “I have no doubt that the Rural Electrification Agency will continue to exceed expectations and deliver meaningful results for the country.”

The inauguration marks the beginning of a new leadership phase for the Rural Electrification Agency as it seeks to accelerate electricity access, promote renewable energy solutions, and support the Federal Government’s drive toward inclusive economic development through improved rural electrification.