Abba Aliyu, the Acting Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is at the forefront of expanding electricity access to Nigeria’s rural, unserved, and underserved communities. He oversees critical initiatives like the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Capital Projects, and the $550 million Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), a significant partnership with the World Bank ($350 million) and African Development Bank ($200 million) focused on deploying mini-grids and solar power solutions across the country.
Under Aliyu’s leadership, the REA is driving the nationwide adoption of utility-scale renewable energy through the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model. He is also steering the organizational realignment of the REA’s mandate in line with the 2023 Electricity Act, as outlined in the REA Business Plan. His efforts include leading the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NESIP), which sets electrification priorities and pathways, leveraging geospatial mapping, viable financing options, and fostering collaborations with sub-national entities, government bodies, and international partners.
Before assuming his current role, Abba Aliyu was the Head of the NEP, where his leadership impacted
over 7.5 million Nigerians. Additionally, he successfully led the engagement and approval process for the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) Project, which secured a $750 million facility from the World Bank for further deployment of minigrids and solar home systems (SHS).
Aliyu’s extensive experience includes serving as the General Manager of Corporate Services and Projects at the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc and as the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Power on Policy. With over 20 years of experience across Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, Tanzania, and Uganda, he is a seasoned energy policy and organizational development professional. His expertise spans multiple sectors, including Power, Environment, Banking, Water Resources, Infrastructure, Education, and Health, where he has held key leadership roles and made significant contributions to the Nigerian economy.
