The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, says the Nigerian electricity sector is moving from counting kilowatts and megawatts to powering more communities nationwide.

Mr Tegbe said this while inaugurating the governing board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Abuja on Friday.

The seven members of the board included former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, who will serve as chairman.

Mr Fayose heads the board alongside Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Makinta as members and non-executive directors.

The managing director of the agency, Abba Aliyu, and three executive directors previously appointed would make up the remaining board members.

The minister explained that REA occupies a unique and strategic place within Nigeria’s power sector architecture, adding that its mandate extends well beyond connecting communities to electricity.

“We are moving from just counting kilowatts and megawatts to how many communities and people were powered in the country.

“REA is fundamentally an institution for expanding opportunity. Every mini-grid inaugurated, every solar home system deployed, every market, school, primary healthcare centre, farm, or productive enterprise electrified represents an investment in human capital, economic inclusion, and national prosperity.

“As we continue the implementation of the Electricity Act and deepen reforms across the Nigerian electricity supply industry, the role of REA has become even more significant, ‘’ he said.

The minister said the agency serves as the bridge between national policy and grassroots impact by ensuring that “the benefits of power reforms are being felt across the country.

“Not only in our major cities but also in the remotest communities across the federation, ‘’ he said.

Mr Tegbe said the constitution of the board was another demonstration of the unwavering commitment of President Bola Tinubu to strengthening governance in institutions.

This, according to him, is entrenching a culture of accountability, strategic oversight, and excellence across the public sector.

The minister said that the board assumed office at a defining moment, adding that their stewardship must be guided by strategic thinking, transparency, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to provide value for money.

He said that the members were expected to provide clear policy direction, strengthen institutional governance, and safeguard public resources.

He urged them to encourage productive partnerships with development partners and the private sector, and ensure that REA remains a model public institution that delivers measurable impact.

“Most importantly, I encourage you to continually ask one fundamental question whenever decisions come before the board: How does this improve the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians?

“If that question remains our compass, I have no doubt that the agency will continue to exceed expectations,” he said. 

Responding, the chairman of the board, Mr Fayose, thanked Mr Tinubu for finding them worthy to serve on the board of the agency.

Mr Fayose said several challenges faced in the power sector were at the grassroots.

He said that the assignment given to them was beyond providing electricity but also looking at the population of the country who need to feel the impact of the energy.

“When this happens, the people will forever be indebted to the agency,” he said.

Mr Fayose said his mission in REA is to take the agency to greater heights by providing the needed political will.

He promised to do everything possible to ensure that the agency gets funds to achieve its long- and short-term programmes for Nigerians to get electricity.

“Work has started in earnest; we are reaching out very fast and appealing to people to ensure the work is done.

“I want to use this window to assure Nigerians that your expectation about my appointment and my colleagues will not be dashed.

“We will give our best to achieve the renewed hope of President Tinubu for the country to be better for us all, ‘’ he said.

On his part, REA’s managing director thanked Mr Tinubu for the opportunity to serve.

Mr Aliyu promised that the agency would continue to do its best to ensure electricity gets to the served and underserved communities. 

(NAN)