REA Meets CDS On Powering Military Bases With Solar

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has initiated formal discussions with the Nigerian Armed Forces to deploy solar power across military bases nationwide under the N100 billion National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative (NPSSI).

This was reinforced during a project initiation and planning meeting between the REA’s managing director/chief executive officer, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

REA, in a statement on Thursday, said while speaking during the meeting, Dr. Aliyu explained that “the NPSSI is a federal government–approved programme with an initial funding of N100 billion, designed to replace diesel generators in public institutions with sustainable solar power systems. Target beneficiaries include schools, hospitals, government offices, and other critical facilities.”

Dr. Aliyu explained that the NPSSI is a federal government-backed programme to replace diesel generators with renewable solar power systems in public institutions such as schools, hospitals, government offices, and other vital facilities. The initiative cuts energy costs, enhances power reliability, and supports Nigeria’s clean energy transition.

“The NPSSI is a collaborative effort led by the REA in partnership with the Budget Office of the Federation, Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp), and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI),” Dr. Aliyu stated. “Our goal is to cut energy costs, improve reliability, and advance Nigeria’s clean energy transition.”

Highlighting military formations’ specific interest in solar interventions, Dr. Aliyu stressed the need for a coordinated approach through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure successful implementation under a pay-for-service model that guarantees long-term sustainability. Similar agreements have already been signed with other security agencies, including the Police Trust Fund, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Correctional Service.

He further explained that “for military formations to participate, an MOU with the army leadership would be required, stressing that the initiative is a pay-for-service model to ensure long-term sustainability. Similar agreements have already been signed with the Police Trust Fund, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Correctional Service.

General Musa welcomed the proposal, emphasising the urgent need to provide reliable and sustainable power to critical military installations. “This is a timely and necessary intervention,” he remarked.

He also committed to establishing a dedicated military team to work closely with the REA to identify priority sites and develop an actionable deployment plan.

“This is a timely and much-needed intervention. Several critical formations are in dire need of a reliable power supply,” the CDS remarked. “I will set up a military team to work closely with the REA to identify priority locations and develop a clear implementation plan.”

Both parties discussed involving the Nigerian Army’s Engineers and Logistics Unit in supporting the installation, deployment, and maintenance of the solar power system. Plans to formalise this collaboration through forming a joint REA–Military Solar Committee were also considered during the meeting.

This initiative reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to sustainability by expanding renewable energy access across critical public sector infrastructure and strengthening Nigeria’s energy security through innovative partnerships.