During the National Stakeholders Engagement Workshop in Abuja, industry leaders highlighted that expanded electricity access is essential for increasing productivity and economic growth. The Rural Electrification Agency organized the event to discuss how sustainable energy technologies can be scaled across Nigeria by aligning financial resources and policy efforts.
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe noted that the government is moving away from viewing electrification solely as infrastructure development. He stated that the current administration sees rural power projects as tools for economic empowerment. According to Tegbe, the goal is to transform electricity into a catalyst for enterprise and prosperity rather than treating it as just a basic social service.
Tegbe urged participants to redefine how the success of the power sector is calculated. He argued that metrics like megawatts generated or the number of connected households are secondary to the actual economic activities that electricity facilitates. He emphasized that energy only drives true transformation when it effectively powers productive industrial and agricultural pursuits.
Dr. Abba Aliyu, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, advocated for better coordination between government bodies and development partners. He suggested that collaborating during the initial design phase of projects would ensure that funds are used efficiently and that results can be replicated. Aliyu stressed the importance of creating lasting systems rather than temporary, isolated projects, noting that these systems require institutional support to endure after initial funding cycles conclude.
