Firm Recognises REA MD For 85% Budget Execution, Transparency

Energy Times, a media outlet, has recognised Dr Abba Aliyu, managing director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), on his 85 per cent budget execution rate and transparency in handling multi-million dollar international facilities.

Chairman of the Energy Times Editorial Board, Yakubu Lawal, during the award event on Friday, stated that the board examined REA’s performance data, including budget utilisation figures reported for the fiscal year.

Lawal added that the recognition relates to REA’s implementation of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project.

This initiative, backed by a $750 million facility from the World Bank, targets distributed renewable energy access.

He noted that REA has conducted roundtable meetings with officials from 21 states and supplied data-driven electrification maps to support state-level planning.

The board also pointed to REA’s adoption of the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, under which local companies act as providers for utility-scale renewable projects.

Available records also show a rise in local manufacturing of solar panels during Aliyu’s tenure, with some exports recorded to Ghana.

In his remarks at the event, Aliyu connected REA’s operations to directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu.

He referenced the Renewed Hope Agenda as the framework guiding REA’s work on rural electrification. Aliyu further mentioned a recently signed N100 billion Memorandum of Understanding aimed at mini-grid development, noting that funding disbursements have begun.

Board members described the DARES project as the largest of its type funded by the World Bank globally. They linked REA’s activities under Aliyu to plans for electricity supply to 17.5 million Nigerians, based on project targets.

The event took place amid ongoing discussions on Nigeria’s energy sector decentralisation, with REA reporting connections to over 17.5 million homes through various mini-grids and solar initiatives.