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 governing board.

The inauguration was disclosed in a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Other members sworn in include Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar, Mr. Ilyasu Makinta and three additional non-executive directors, while Mr. Abba Aliyu formally assumed office as the Managing Director of the agency.

Fayose pledges political support for REA

Speaking after taking the oath of office, Fayose expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and the other appointees.

He pledged to provide the political support required to strengthen the agency and attract resources needed 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 said.

According to him, the board has already begun engaging relevant stakeholders to secure funding and support for both ongoing and future rural electrification projects.

“Work has started in earnest; we are reaching out very fast and appealing to people to ensure the work is done.

“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,” he said.

Rural electrification beyond power supply

Fayose said the agency’s responsibility goes beyond providing electricity, stressing that its mandate includes improving the quality of life in rural communities through access to reliable energy.

He noted that many of the challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity sector originate in underserved rural areas, making the agency’s intervention critical.

“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.

“When this happens, the people will forever be indebted to the agency,” he added.

Tegbe outlines new vision for electricity access

Earlier, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe said the Federal Government was shifting its focus from merely measuring electricity generation to assessing the number of communities and citizens benefiting from reliable power supply.

“We are moving from just counting kilowatts and megawatts to how many communities and people were powered in the country,” the minister said.

Tegbe described the Rural Electrification Agency as a strategic institution whose work extends beyond energy supply to education, healthcare, agriculture, commerce and overall economic development.

“REA is fundamentally an institution for expanding opportunity.

“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,” he stated.

FG seeks greater impact through power reforms

The minister said the agency’s role has become increasingly important as the Federal Government continues implementing the Electricity Act and broader reforms in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

According to him, REA is expected to bridge the gap between national electricity policy and grassroots development by ensuring that rural communities benefit from ongoing reforms.

“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.

He added that the inauguration of the new governing board reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening governance, accountability and strategic oversight across public institutions.

Tegbe urged board members to uphold transparency, embrace innovation and ensure prudent management of public resources while building partnerships with development organisations and the private sector.

“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,” he said.

REA MD promises expanded electricity access

REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu also thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, assuring Nigerians that the agency would intensify efforts to provide electricity to underserved and unserved communities through its rural and off-grid programmes.

He said the agency would continue implementing projects aimed at improving energy access, supporting economic activities and enhancing the living standards of millions of Nigerians.

The inauguration officially marks the commencement of the tenure of the new REA governing board, with Fayose expected to provide strategic leadership and oversight as the agency advances the Federal Government’s rural electrification agenda.