By Seun Ibiyemi
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) , Abba Aliyu, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence for transparency and efficiency in the execution of renewable energy projects.
Aliyu received the recognition on Friday in Lagos from the Editorial Board of Energy Times.
Chairman of the board, Yakubu Lawal, said the decision followed a rigorous evaluation of individuals transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape.
“We looked for individuals whose work continues to transform the energy landscape and improve lives across the country.
Dr. Aliyu’s ability to achieve an 85 per cent budget execution rate while managing multi-million dollar international facilities proves that transparency and efficiency can coexist in Nigeria’s public sector,” Lawal stated.
The board added that the recognition reflects Aliyu’s role in advancing Nigeria’s shift toward a decentralised energy system, noting that his leadership has helped position the country to deliver electricity to about 17.5 million Nigerians.
It highlighted the successful negotiation and implementation of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project, a $750 million World Bank-funded initiative described as one of the largest renewable energy projects globally.
According to the board, Aliyu has also driven stakeholder engagement across 21 states through roundtable meetings and the deployment of data-driven electrification maps, enabling subnational governments to take ownership of their energy planning.
The introduction of the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model under his leadership has further empowered local firms to operate at utility scale, while boosting local manufacturing capacity, with Nigeria beginning to export solar panels to Ghana.
Reacting to the award, Aliyu said the honour underscores the progress made under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the strategic direction of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
He noted that through the Renewed Hope Agenda, the agency is extending sustainable electricity to over 17.5 million homes nationwide, supported by a recently signed ₦100 billion Memorandum of Understanding aimed at accelerating mini-grid development across the country.
Aliyu added that the recognition validates ongoing reforms in the power sector and reinforces the agency’s role in driving Nigeria’s transition to a more resilient, solar-powered economy.
