Nigeria has highest number of people without access to electricity – REA MD

Nigeria's Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, highlighted that the country has the highest number of people without access to electricity globally, with 90 million citizens still living in darkness. Despite this alarming figure, the government, in collaboration with the private sector, is aggressively working to close the energy gap.

Aliyu emphasized that the government has made progress, with 70 million Nigerians connected to electricity through various REA programs. However, he contested the figure of 90 million people living in electricity poverty, stating that the REA has provided electricity to 70 million individuals and is targeting to reach 16 million more through ongoing projects.

The agency's model prioritizes incentivizing investment in viable infrastructure, with successful projects including renewable energy generation and reviving underperforming projects to ensure sustainability in Nigeria's energy system. Aliyu assured Nigerians that the agency will publish verifiable data to back up its achievements and deliver reliable and lasting electricity, especially in rural.