On Friday, the Nigerian Federal Government officially inaugurated the new governing board for the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), urging its members to focus on leadership that prioritizes the public. Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, led the ceremony in Abuja, tasking the team with ensuring all policies tangibly benefit the daily lives of citizens.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, will lead the board. Minister Tegbe explained that these appointments reflect President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving transparency and governance within public institutions. He identified the REA as a crucial engine for economic growth, highlighting that projects like solar home systems and mini-grids for farms, schools, and health centers are essential for human capital development.
The board, established under Section 130 of the Electricity Act, is tasked with providing high-level policy guidance during quarterly meetings. Tegbe clarified that the board will not interfere with the agency’s daily operations, as management must maintain autonomy while being held accountable for performance. Existing programs like the Energising Education and Energising Agriculture initiatives will continue to be primary focus areas.
In his remarks, Fayose praised Minister Tegbe’s technical expertise and his appointment by President Tinubu, viewing it as a significant effort to resolve the nation’s electricity challenges. He pledged the board’s total commitment to fulfilling the mandate of the agency. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the ministry’s permanent secretary, the REA managing director, and other senior officials.
