Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has officially commenced his duties as Chairman of the Governing Board for the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). His appointment, made by President Bola Tinubu, was formalised during an inauguration ceremony held in Abuja on Friday, presided over by Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe.
During the event, other board members and Managing Director Abba Aliyu were also sworn in. Fayose stated that his primary objective is to leverage political support to bolster the agency’s operational capacity and secure necessary funding for nationwide electricity projects. He emphasized that the agency’s impact should be measured by the lives improved, rather than just the provision of power itself.
Minister Tegbe highlighted a shift in the government’s approach to the power sector, focusing on the number of communities reached rather than total megawatts generated. He described the REA as a vital driver for economic growth, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and healthcare. Tegbe urged the new board to prioritize transparency and ensure their initiatives directly benefit ordinary citizens.
Managing Director Abba Aliyu reiterated the agency’s commitment to extending electricity access to underserved areas through strategic off-grid programs. This inauguration signifies the start of the new board’s mandate to enhance rural electrification across Nigeria under the current federal administration.
