By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria and the Lagos State Government have entered into an agreement to expand access to clean energy in that state, with a focus on powering public institutions through rooftop solar systems.
A statement by the renewable energy champion said the agreement signed during the Lagos State Energy Summit on Monday 14th April, 2025 at Oriental Hotel Victoria Island lagos, describing it as a significant milestone under the REA’s State-by-State Initiative and aligns with the federal government’s push to deepen sub-national electricity access through the 2023 Electricity Act.
The new initiative according to the statement will support the deployment of sustainable, distributed energy solutions across Lagos, addressing the widespread use of over four million diesel generators in the state, and is targeted at replacing “this fragmented energy landscape with reliable, renewable alternatives”.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships in tackling energy challenges.
“We have excess power generation—but it’s misdirected and not evenly distributed. This collaboration with REA will help bridge that gap,” he said.
REA’s Managing Director/CEO Abba Abubakar Aliyu announced several major projects under the new agreement, including plans for Nigeria’s first floating solar PV plant (8MW) to power Lagos State University.
He also highlighted the upcoming $150 million Lithium Battery Assembly Plant at the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the establishment of a Renewable Energy University to boost local skills and innovation.
According to Abba Aliyu, “ the partnership will also advance the National Public Sector Solarization Initiative (NPSSI) and the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, backed by the World Bank”.
He further noted, “This efforts are designed to empower local developers and build a robust market for Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) across the country.”
The REA) is the Implementing Agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under the Federal Ministry of Power tasked with the electrification of unserved and underserved communities to catalyse economic growth and improve quality of life for Nigerians.
Established under part IX, Sections 88- 89 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), 2005, the agency is currently implementing the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Capital Projects, Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES), National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative (NPSSI) among several others.