Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has officially assumed office as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
Fayose was inaugurated on Friday in Abuja by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, alongside other members of the agency’s newly constituted governing board.
The inauguration was announced in a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Other board members sworn in include Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar, Mr. Ilyasu Makinta, three additional non-executive directors, while Mr. Abba Aliyu officially assumed office as the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency.
Speaking after taking the oath of office, Fayose thanked President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and the newly appointed board members, promising not to disappoint Nigerians.
According to him, his major responsibility as Chairman is to provide the political support needed for the agency to perform effectively while helping it secure the resources required to expand electricity access across the country.
“My mission in REA is to take the agency to greater heights by providing the needed political will.”
Fayose disclosed that work had already begun immediately after his appointment, noting that the board had started engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure the agency successfully delivers on its mandate.
“Work has started in earnest; we are reaching out very fast and appealing to people to ensure the work is done.”
He assured Nigerians that the new board would justify the confidence placed in them by President Tinubu.
“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.”
Fayose stressed that the Rural Electrification Agency’s assignment goes beyond merely providing electricity, saying its responsibility is to ensure millions of Nigerians, especially those living in rural communities, feel the direct impact of improved access to energy.
“The assignment given to us is beyond providing electricity but also looking at the population of the country who need to feel the impact of the energy.”
He added that improving electricity access would positively transform lives and leave lasting benefits for communities across Nigeria.
“When this happens, the people will forever be indebted to the agency.”
Earlier, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe said Nigeria must begin measuring progress in the electricity sector by the number of communities, businesses and citizens that gain access to electricity rather than focusing only on megawatts generated.
“We are moving from just counting kilowatts and megawatts to how many communities and people were powered in the country.”
Tegbe described the Rural Electrification Agency as one of the Federal Government’s most strategic institutions for driving inclusive development.
According to him, the agency plays a vital role in improving education, healthcare, agriculture, commerce and economic development through increased electricity access.
“REA is fundamentally an institution for expanding opportunity.”
He explained that every electricity project delivered by the agency represents an investment in Nigeria’s future.
“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.”
The minister said the agency’s responsibilities have become even more important following the implementation of the Electricity Act and ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
According to him, REA must serve as the bridge between government policies and rural communities, ensuring that electricity reforms reach underserved Nigerians.
“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.”
Tegbe said the inauguration of the new board reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to stronger governance, accountability and strategic leadership in public institutions.
He urged the board members to uphold transparency, embrace innovation and build partnerships with development agencies and the private sector to expand electricity access nationwide.
The minister also challenged the board to always prioritise the welfare of ordinary Nigerians whenever decisions are taken.
“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.”
Also speaking, REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and assured Nigerians that the agency would continue expanding electricity access to underserved and unserved communities through rural electrification and off-grid energy projects.
The inauguration officially marks the beginning of the tenure of the new REA Governing Board, with Fayose expected to provide strategic leadership and oversight as the agency works to improve electricity access across Nigeria.
