The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has secured a $700,000 grant from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to electrify 15 public health and education institutions across the country using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
The grant, formalised on Monday under the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), will support the installation of renewable energy systems in selected facilities located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger State, and Nasarawa State. The initiative marks the pilot implementation phase of the regional programme in Nigeria, which is backed by the World Bank to expand off-grid electricity access across West Africa and the Sahel.
Under the agreement, REA will serve as the technical and financial implementing agency, overseeing deployment of the solar systems in rural hospitals and schools that currently lack reliable electricity.
REA’s Managing Director, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the partnership as a demonstration of regional cooperation driving national development. He emphasised that electrifying these critical public institutions will enhance healthcare delivery, improve learning environments, and strengthen community wellbeing by reducing reliance on diesel generators and lowering operational costs.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, highlighted the broader regional significance of the project, saying that it will not only light up buildings but also “power the future of West Africa” by expanding access to sustainable energy for underserved citizens.
In addition to the ECOWAS agreement, REA signed a separate collaboration arrangement with the Niger State Government to facilitate state-level co-financing, coordination, and monitoring of selected installation sites. This dual-tier partnership is designed to strengthen institutional cooperation and ensure efficient delivery of the pilot electrification project.
The solar electrification effort aligns with Nigeria’s energy transition goals and national policies aimed at expanding clean energy access to unserved and underserved communities, supporting socio-economic development and sustainable service delivery in the education and health sectors.
