The Rural Electrification Agency has entered into a partnership with the ECOWAS Commission under the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project to boost electricity supply to public institutions across Nigeria.
The agreement provides grant support for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in 15 public health and educational facilities, aimed at improving access to reliable power in underserved areas. The initiative focuses on deploying clean energy solutions to strengthen service delivery in rural communities.
Following the agreement, the agency also signed a separate memorandum with the Niger State Government to support collaboration at the state level, including co-financing and coordination for selected project locations within the state.
The partnership with ECOWAS marks the official start of Nigeria’s pilot phase under the regional off-grid electricity programme, an initiative designed to expand access to sustainable power across West Africa and the Sahel. As part of the arrangement, a grant of $700,000 will be provided to support solar installations in health centres and schools located in the Federal Capital Territory, Niger State, and Nasarawa State.
The Rural Electrification Agency will serve as the technical and financial lead for the project, overseeing implementation and ensuring compliance with project standards. A dedicated implementation unit will be set up within the agency to work closely with regional partners and a steering committee to ensure smooth execution.
The collaboration is expected to enhance healthcare delivery, improve learning environments, and promote community development by providing stable electricity to critical public facilities. At the state level, the Niger State Government will support coordination, monitoring, and counterpart funding to ensure the sustainability of the installations.
Overall, the initiative is designed to improve energy reliability in rural public institutions, reduce dependence on diesel generators, lower operating costs, and accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions in line with Nigeria’s national energy goals.
