143
By Tracy Moses
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has announced plans to ramp up grid extension and renewable mini-grid projects in 2026 as part of efforts to accelerate electricity access in rural and underserved communities across the country.
The agency’s Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, made this known while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 budget defence organised by the House Committee on Rural Electrification in Abuja on Friday.
Aliyu disclosed that the REA is proposing a total budget of N170 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, with a large share earmarked for expanding grid connections and implementing off-grid renewable energy solutions designed to meet the unique needs of various communities.
He explained that many of the planned projects would involve extending existing distribution networks to settlements situated close to the national grid but yet to be connected.
“In several instances, these communities are only a few kilometres away from existing transmission lines,” he said.
“What is needed is the expansion of distribution infrastructure, including the erection of poles, installation of transformers and other supporting facilities to connect homes, schools, primary healthcare centres and small businesses.”
According to him, grid extension remains the most economical option for communities located near established power infrastructure, stressing that such interventions would spur local economic growth and enhance residents’ quality of life.
In addition to grid expansion, the REA boss stated that the agency would step up the deployment of renewable energy-powered mini-grids, particularly in farming communities and clusters of small and medium-scale enterprises.
“Mini-grids offer dependable and sustainable electricity for agrarian settlements and cottage industries,” Aliyu noted. “They power agro-processing activities, cold storage and other productive ventures, helping to increase value addition, reduce post-harvest losses and improve rural livelihoods.”
He added that similar mini-grid systems would be installed in agricultural processing centres to strengthen rural value chains and promote enterprise development.
For remote and sparsely populated locations where grid extension or mini-grids may not be financially viable, the agency intends to distribute standalone solar home systems to provide basic electricity for lighting, communication and small household appliances.
Aliyu described the 2026 electrification strategy as broad-based and results-oriented, revealing that more than 500 projects have been lined up for implementation within the fiscal year.
“What we submitted to the National Assembly is a comprehensive breakdown of projects spanning grid extensions, mini-grids and solar home systems, each tailored to address specific community requirements,” he said.
He also pointed to the agency’s past performance, stating that the REA recorded an 85 per cent implementation rate under its 2024 budget.
“Although we experienced funding limitations and low releases in 2025, we have achieved about 32 per cent performance so far. We expect faster execution once additional funds are made available,” he added.
Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Rural Electrification, Mohammed Bukar (APC-Borno), expressed satisfaction with the agency’s presentation following a detailed examination of its budget proposal.
Bukar praised the REA’s role in broadening access to electricity through off-grid and renewable initiatives in rural communities and federal institutions.
“Legislative oversight remains essential for ensuring accountability and transparency,” he said.
“We will continue to monitor the agency’s activities to ensure alignment with its mandate and national development goals. At this point, we are satisfied that the agency is making measurable impact.”
He, however, indicated that the committee would embark on oversight visits to project locations to verify progress and ensure prudent utilisation of public funds.
With its planned expansion of grid infrastructure and renewable mini-grids, the REA’s 2026 electrification agenda is poised to further advance rural energy access and support Nigeria’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable power solutions.