The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the conduct of a comprehensive national energy survey.

The national energy survey would use the Multi-Tier Tracking Framework (MTF) in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mutari Ibrahim, REA’s director of promotion and outreach, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr Ibrahim said that the MoU would formalise a strategic partnership between the two federal government agencies to provide mutual collaboration and technical support for the survey.

He said that the agreement was signed by the managing director of REA, Abba Aliyu, and the statistician-general of the federation, NBS, Adeyemi Adeniran, in Abuja.

“This will be implemented under the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) of the World Bank.

“The initiative is designed to generate high-quality analytical data to support evidence-based planning and policy formulation in Nigeria’s power and energy sector,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim noted that under the MoU, the parties would work together to assess energy access at household, community, enterprise, and public institution levels using the Multi-Tier Framework;

“They would also examine household energy affordability, expenditure patterns, and willingness to pay for grid and off-grid solutions.

“They would equally analyse access to and usage of off-grid technologies, including solar home systems, mini-grids, and clean cooking solutions,” he said.

According to Mr Ibrahim, REA will serve as a key implementation and policy partner, providing sectorial expertise, stakeholder engagement, public awareness, and alignment with Nigeria’s rural electrification priorities.

“ NBS will provide regulatory approval, sampling frames, methodological validation, technical supervision, and capacity building for enumerators, ensuring data quality and credibility.

“The World Bank, through ESMAP, will fund and technically oversee the survey and engage a qualified survey firm responsible for field data collection, analysis, and reporting,’’ he said.

The REA’s director said that the MoU would remain in force for 18 months from the date of signing.

“Data generated from the survey will support national energy planning, improve programme targeting, and guide private sector investments.

“It will strengthen Nigeria’s transition toward universal access to electricity and clean cooking solutions,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim added that the partnership reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration, improving the availability of reliable energy data, and advancing sustainable electrification across rural and underserved communities in Nigeria.

Speaking on the collaboration, Mr Aliyu, the REA MD said that the partnership underscores REA’s commitment to data-driven rural electrification planning.

“This collaboration will provide granular, credible data on electricity access, affordability, and off-grid energy solutions across Nigeria.

“ The findings will directly inform national electrification initiatives such as the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NESIP), while also strengthening investor confidence in the sector,” he said.

On his part, Mr Adeniran, statistician-general of the federation, emphasised the importance of sound statistical standards in national surveys.

“NBS is pleased to provide technical oversight, sampling expertise, and quality assurance to ensure that the survey adheres to global best practices.

“Reliable data is fundamental to effective policy and sustainable development,” he said. 

(NAN)