…seals MoU with Niger State to unlock ECOWAS funding for solar infrastructure drive
Precious Ademiloye
The Rural Electrification Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Economic Community of West African States Commission under the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project to secure a $700,000 grant for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in rural health centres and schools across the FCT, Niger and Nasarawa states, targeting 15 public institutions.
The agreement, signed on Monday, February 23, 2026, by all parties, in Abuja, marks a significant milestone in advancing reliable electricity access to public institutions across the country.
Advisors Reports gathered that the ECOWAS partnership marks the formal commencement of Nigeria’s pilot implementation phase under ROGEAP which is a regional initiative supported by the World Bank to expand off-grid electricity access across West Africa and the Sahel.
The project will be implemented by REA as the technical and financial implementing agency.
Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director/CEO of REA, speaking at the signing ceremony described the agreement as a strong demonstration of regional collaboration driving national development.
“This partnership with ECOWAS reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to expanding reliable electricity access to critical public institutions.
Electrifying health centers and schools’ means improving healthcare delivery, enhancing learning conditions, and strengthening community development.”
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, reflecting on the regional significance of the project said, “This pilot phase in Nigeria is a cornerstone of our regional strategy to eliminate energy poverty.
By providing sustainable solar solutions to schools and clinics, we are not just lighting up buildings; we are powering the future of West Africa.
This collaboration with the REA demonstrates how regional grants can be effectively localized to touch the lives of the most vulnerable citizens.”
To ensure effective implementation, a dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established within REA, working closely with the ROGEAP Project Implementation Unit and an established Steering Committee.
In alignment with the ECOWAS agreement, REA also signed an MoU with the Niger State Government to enable access to ECOWAS funding and provide counterpart support for project sites within the state.
The Niger State Government will collaborate with REA on coordination, co-financing, and monitoring of installations in selected facilities.
Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago, Governor of Niger State, while expressing his support for the subnational partnership, stated, “Our partnership with the REA is a testament to our administration’s ‘New Niger’ agenda, which prioritizes sustainable infrastructure.
“By implementing these solar projects, Niger State is ensuring that our rural health and educational facilities have the reliable power they need to serve our people effectively.
“We remain committed to providing the necessary counterpart support to make this initiative a lasting success.”
This dual-level partnership structure with ECOWAS and subnational cooperation with Niger State strengthens institutional coordination and ensures efficient delivery of the pilot project.
The project is expected to improve energy reliability in rural public facilities, reduce dependence on diesel generators, lower operating costs, and promote clean energy adoption in line with Nigeria’s national energy policies.
Through this collaboration, REA continues to advance its mandate of electrifying unserved and underserved communities while leveraging regional partnerships to unlock sustainable financing and scale impact.
The Rural Electrification Agency (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 catalyze economic growth and improve quality of life for Nigerians. The Agency was established under section 127 of the Electricity Act 2023.
The REA 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 Solarization Initiative (NPSSI), Solar Power Naija (SPN), Energizing Education Programme (EEP), Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI), Energizing Agriculture Programme (EAP), Energy for All – Mass Rural Electrification, Research and Innovation Hub. Africa Mini Grids Programme (AMP), Derisking Sustainable Off-Grid Lighting Solutions (DSOLS), the Korean Energy Project, Healthcare, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development and Transportation (e-HEART) and the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP).
The Agency is responsible for creating an enabling environment for private sector-led projects, which includes conducting feasibility assessments, energy audits, enumeration, data analysis, identification of qualified private sector developers, and project stakeholder engagements.
