By CONSTANCE ATHEKAME

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to electrify 15 public institutions.

The management of REA, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, said that the agreement was signed under the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP).

The statement added that, under the agreement, ECOWAS would provide grant funding to support the electrification of 15 public health and education facilities in Nigeria using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

According to the statement, the ECOWAS partnership marks the formal commencement of Nigeria’s pilot implementation phase under ROGEAP.

ROGEAP is a regional initiative supported by the World Bank to expand off-grid electricity access across West Africa and the Sahel.

”Under the agreement, ECOWAS will provide a grant of $700,000 to support the installation of solar PV systems in rural health centres and schools located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Niger and Nasarawa States

”The project will be implemented by REA as the technical and financial implementing agency,”it said.

Speaking at the signing, the Managing Director of REA, Mr Abba Aliyu, 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 centres and schools means improving healthcare delivery, enhancing learning conditions, and strengthening community development.”

Reflecting on the regional significance of the project, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said: “This pilot phase in Nigeria is a cornerstone of our regional strategy to eliminate energy poverty.”

Touray said that by providing sustainable solar solutions to schools and clinics, “ECOWAS is 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 localised 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 PIU and an established Steering Committee in alignment with the ECOWAS agreement, ”he said.

Following the signing of the REA-ECOWAS agreement, the REA also signed an MoU with the Niger Government to enable access to ECOWAS funding and provide counterpart support for project sites within the state.

According to the agreement, the Niger government will collaborate with REA on coordination, co-financing, and monitoring of installations in selected facilities.

Expressing his support for the sub-national partnership, the Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger, said that the state partnership with the REA was a testament to his administration’s ‘New Niger’ agenda, which prioritised sustainable infrastructure.

”By implementing these solar projects, Niger is ensuring that its rural health and educational facilities have the reliable power they need to serve the people effectively.

”We remain committed to providing the necessary counterpart support to make this initiative a lasting success, ”he said.

The statement said that the dual-level partnership structure with ECOWAS and sub national cooperation with Niger strengthened institutional coordination and ensured 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,”it said. (NAN)

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