The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, has announced that Nigeria will soon roll out the Distributed Access to Renewable Energy Scale (DARES) initiative, a $750 million programme aimed at providing electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians currently living without power.

 

Aliyu disclosed this on Monday while appearing on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, where he described DARES as the largest public renewable energy project in the world and a major step toward addressing Nigeria’s electricity poverty.

 

The REA boss noted that despite being Africa’s biggest economy, Nigeria ranks second globally, after India, in the number of people living without access to electricity. He said the initiative was proof that the current administration has developed a clear and structured plan to tackle this long-standing challenge.

 

“I recently came across a post by The Economist which showed that only India has more people without electricity access than Nigeria,” Aliyu said. “But unlike many other countries, Nigeria now has a well-structured plan to address this challenge. DARES is a landmark programme that will transform lives and communities across the country.”

 

Aliyu explained that the REA’s mandate differs from that of the electricity Distribution Companies (Discos). Unlike Discos, which operate on the national grid, the agency’s focus is to deliver off-grid solutions to rural and underserved areas where millions of Nigerians have never experienced electricity.

 

“If you have a problem with your Disco, that’s not within our mandate,” he clarified. “Our focus is on communities without access to electricity, and that is where DARES will make the biggest impact.”

 

According to him, by deploying solar power and other renewable technologies, the agency intends to provide sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy for households, schools, healthcare centres, and small businesses in rural Nigeria.

 

The $750 million DARES initiative is backed by international development partners and designed to expand Nigeria’s renewable energy footprint while addressing one of the most pressing challenges of national development.

 

Aliyu said the programme is not only about lighting up homes but also about driving economic growth in neglected regions. Access to electricity, he argued, is central to industrial development, job creation, poverty reduction, and improved quality of life.

 

“This programme will give power to 17.5 million Nigerians,” he emphasized. “That means children can study at night, hospitals can function better, and businesses can operate more efficiently. It’s about giving people the tools they need to thrive.”

 

Nigeria’s electricity poverty has long been a subject of national and international concern. According to the World Bank, about 86 million Nigerians, nearly half the population, live without access to electricity. This has limited industrial growth, discouraged foreign investment, and left rural communities trapped in poverty cycles.

 

Observers have often criticized successive governments for failing to address the country’s chronic power challenges, which range from poor generation capacity to weak transmission infrastructure. However, Aliyu maintained that the REA is taking a different approach by focusing on renewable and decentralized energy systems that bypass the traditional grid.

 

 

Aliyu praised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for recognizing the urgency of energy access and committing resources to renewable energy projects. He stressed that DARES reflects not just a Nigerian vision but also a global standard for expanding energy access in developing countries.

 

“The commitment of this administration is evident,” he said. “We are receiving unprecedented support to scale up renewable energy, and this is a sign that Nigeria is serious about ending electricity poverty.”

 

 

Energy experts believe the success of DARES could serve as a model for other African nations struggling with similar electricity access challenges. If fully implemented, the project would mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward sustainable energy and economic empowerment.

 

Still, challenges remain. Analysts point to issues of financing, policy continuity, and technical capacity as potential hurdles. But the REA insists that strong partnerships with private investors, development agencies, and local stakeholders will ensure the project’s success.

 

For millions of Nigerians in rural areas, the promise of light after decades of darkness is more than symbolic, it represents hope, opportunity, and progress.

 

“This is not just about electricity. It’s about changing lives, boosting our economy, and building a stronger Nigeria for generations to come.”