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Despite spending more than N14.36 billion on alternative sources of electricity for rural areas across the federation in 2024, the Federal Government proposed to spend N1.3 trillion to deepen its efforts in 2025.
The Rural Electrification Agency will handle the projects under the Ministry of Power.
This is as the REA, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is probing for N12.7 billion fraud, has failed to connect hundreds of communities to the national grid.
As part of the ongoing probe, the EFCC traced 27 accounts to the suspended Managing Director of the REA, Salihijo Ahmad.
In March 2024, Ahmad was suspended indefinitely by President Bola Tinubu alongside Olaniyi Netufo, the executive director, Corporate Services; Barka Sajou, executive director, Technical Services, and Sa’adatu Balgore, executive director, Rural Electrification Fund and a new acting management team was appointed for the agency, headed by Abba Aliyu as the Managing Director/CEO.
Meanwhile, rural communities in Edo, Ogun, Taraba, Yobe, Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara, Enugu, Imo and several other states complained that they have not been connected to the national grid.
They have also not benefitted from any electricity projects despite fiscal appropriations and promises by the REA.
Last year, the World Bank stated that Nigeria has the world’s largest electricity access deficit, with 45 per cent of the population (90 million) lacking access to the electricity grid and 26 per cent living in rural areas.
To solve this challenge, the government entered into a $750m agreement with the World Bank to construct 1,200 mini-grids and other international creditors to improve electricity access in rural communities across Nigeria.
This energy gap is bridged through efficiency and sustainable energy solutions such as solar and grid-based power projects.
But contrary to its promises, findings by The PUNCH showed that tangible results haven’t been achieved despite numerous promises.
Stakeholders, including civil society organizations, also noted that previous efforts by the government to boost rural electrification have not yielded tangible results as millions of Nigerians in these areas continue to live without reliable access to electricity.
Data obtained by The PUNCH from GovSpend, a repository platform that analyses government spending, indicate that the REA spent N14.36bn on rural renewable electricity projects between January and November 5, 2024.
This amount is likely higher as the website didn’t capture its full-year expenditure.
A breakdown showed that the agency allocated funds for hundreds of rural projects with the highest disbursement of N508. 587m for the supply and installation of solar street lights in various markets across Lagos State, and N391m for the provision of alternative energy intervention for load support/lighting in Itchi, Unadu, Alo-agu communities.
Other allocations are N223.07m for the provision of solar systems for energising security in South-South states, N203.32m for the provision of solar streetlights in Edun and Ita Kure area, N273.58m for the distribution of integrated solar lights across Odu, Abocho and other communities and N156m for the deployment of solar mini-grids for productive agro in the South-South.
In addition, the government has proposed an investment worth N1.13tn in the current year to improve the supply of electricity to rural areas across the federation aimed at providing power to underserved communities across the country.
An analysis of the 2025 proposed budget submitted to the national assembly for scrutiny showed that the amount domiciled under the Ministry of Power and the National Rural Electrification Agency will be expended on 41 projects.
It stated that N200m will be spent to provide for the completion of the ongoing rural electrification scheme in Akwa-Ibom, Imo, Kebbi and Borno States.
Other states such as Plateau, Abia, Sokoto, Benue, Bauchi, Kano, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Yobe, Taraba, Zamfara, Osun, Ondo, Rivers, Oyo, Nasarawa, Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Katsina, Kaduna, Kwara, Kogi, Gombe, Jigawa, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory, Delta, Edo Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Adamawa and Anambra will get an envelope funding of N1.65bn for the completion of ongoing electrification projects.
The document also disclosed that N100bn will be spent on the National Public sector solarization initiative, N216.21bn on the Nigeria Electrification project and N225bn for the distribution access through the renewable energy scale-up programme.
The proposed N1.13tn investment in rural electrification aims to address this issue by deploying renewable energy solutions, including solar mini-grids and off-grid systems, alongside the expansion of the national grid.
While the government claims to have achieved significant milestones in boosting electricity supply to rural communities through alternative power sources, residents say the disconnection from the national grid has stifled economic growth, and development and has fuelled rural-urban migration.
These residents living in Bayelsa, Benin, Imo, Taraba, Zamfara and other states say the government is unconcerned about their predicament.
For instance, more than 70 per cent of residents in Zamfara state have not been connected to the national grid, The PUNCH learnt on Monday.
Investigation showed that Birnin Magaji, a local government headquarters in the state, has not been connected to the national grid since its creation in 1996.
Some residents who spoke to PUNCH said they have been living without electricity since the creation of the state in 1996.
A trader, Musa Haruna, said that the people of his community have never enjoyed electricity.
Haruna stressed, “We, the people of Kazauda village, are living in darkness, and we don’t complain because we are used to it. We normally go to Gusau town to buy ice cream during Ramadan fast and other festivities.”
A resident of Madaro village, Sanusi Shehu, told The PUNCH that he only enjoys electricity when he travels out of his community. He said, “I only see electricity when I travel to urban areas.”
He explained that the people of his village have written to both the state and the local government, requesting to be connected to the national grid, lamenting that their complaints had yet to be addressed.
“We complained severally to both the state and the government governments to link our community to the national grid but up to now, nothing has been done,” he lamented.
Residents of Peva in Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government and communities in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State decried the lack of electricity in their areas, lamenting how this has affected their lives and livelihoods.
In Peva, residents say life comes to a standstill after sunset as families depend on kerosene lamps and petrol generators for lighting.
Many complain about the high cost of petrol and the health risks posed by the fumes.
The situation has also affected children’s education as most struggle to study in poorly lit conditions, leading to high dropout rates.
The lack of electricity has stifled local businesses in the community. A local tailor in Peva, Adzem Tersoo, noted that his ambition to expand his business by using electric sewing machines remains a dream due to the absence of power.
Similarly, cold drinks and other perishable goods are scarce as vendors rely on ice blocks transported from towns like Takum, Wukari and Katsina-Ala, which are several kilometres away.
In Bali, farmers bear significant losses as they are unable to preserve their perishable produce.
Women who give birth at night do so under challenging conditions, with midwives often relying on lanterns to assist in deliveries.
Efforts by some non-governmental organisations to alleviate the problem by providing solar panels have had limited impact, as many of the installations have broken down due to poor maintenance.
“We feel abandoned by the government. It’s as if our needs are invisible,” said Mama Rejoice, a women leader in Bali.
Some youths in Peva have begun experimenting with solar charging systems, while farmers in Bali are pooling resources to buy shared generators.
A youth mobiliser in Peva, Mr Ali Tanko, said, “The government should expedite action to connect the communities to the national grid.’’
Similarly, several rural communities in Delta State are not connected to the national grid, investigations revealed.
These communities, including Olodu-Ogwashi-Uku and Ogodo, among others, in the Delta North senatorial district, are still in darkness.
Speaking with one of our correspondents on Monday, an indigene of Olodu, one of the communities under the Ogwashi-Uku community, Mr Emeka Umusei, lamented the situation in the community.
“Our community don’t know anything about electricity; we just hear it or see it when we visit Ogwashi-Uku town or other neighbouring communities.
“We have been in darkness for ages; Businesses in the community are facing a tough time because those using generators can hardly afford fuel now,” Umusei pointed out.
It was learnt that both Oludu-Ogwashi and Ogodo communities in Aniocha South and Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state are yet to be connected to the national grid.
It was also gathered that some communities in Ndokwa East are not connected to the grid and have no alternative source of power.
A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Austin Ikegima, lamented the absence of electricity in the Asa community along the Yenagoa/Oporoma road, Bayelsa State.
Ikegima said the lack of connection to the national grid was causing him so much unhappiness.
He said, “We can’t charge our phones, we cannot use our electrical appliances. No television, no radio or laundry. We cannot use our refrigerators.
“Our houses are in darkness in the night and if we need water, we have to buy petrol to pump water.”
Ikegima explained that the community has a transformer with both high-tension and step-down cables, but it has not been hooked to the national grid.
According to him, the transformer was installed over five years ago, but nothing has been done to connect it to the national grid, which is causing the residents a lot of inconvenience.
Also, the Secretary of Ekowe Community in Benin, Edo State, Friday Edohen, said that the community needs a transformer, but it cannot afford it as the people are barely surviving.
He noted that the people were suffering, and businesses could not thrive in the community.
According to him, artisans who need electricity are suffering while some people have left the community for the towns or adjourning communities that have electricity.
He said, “It has not been easy for people of the community. Artisans and other business people cannot thrive and most of them have left.’’
He said that they have also appealed to Benin Electricity Distribution Company to no avail.
He noted that they appealed to the previous government for a transformer, but did not get it.
“We hope that the new government will give us one so that our community can thrive,” he pleaded.
In Imo State, the people of Assa, Obile, Awarra, Ochia, Obitti, and Mgbuishi, all in the Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area, have never had electricity.
John Nwosu, who hails from one of the communities, said, “Since the creation of the earth, not one house has been powered via the national grid; Several children here have not seen electricity though crude oil was discovered here.”
He blamed the situation on a lack of political will by the authorities, noting that their children in the cities rarely return home for the holidays.
Also, Nguru Umuaro, Umuneke, Ntu, Ngor, Elelem, Obike, Umukabia, and Umuhu in the Ngor Okpala LGA have not had electricity for over four years following the destruction of the power equipment by vandals.
Casmir Iherijika, who hails from Eziala Nguru in Nguru Umuaro, said people had to buy water to cook, bathe, and do other things.
According to him, many businesses that rely on electricity had shut down, noting that people pay N150 to charge their phones, radios, power banks, and lamps daily, which he said had left a hole in their pockets.
A source said officials of the distribution company handling the franchise area had demanded over N30m for the repairs of the vandalised power equipment, adding that the communities were still trying to raise the levy.
In Yobe State, several villages, including those along the Gujba and Gulani axes, have been disconnected from the national grid due to insurgency-related issues.
According to an official from the distribution company managing the franchise area, efforts are underway to restore the national grid to the affected villages.
In the northern part of Yobe State, a considerable number of communities are not covered by the national grid.
These villages include Tagali, Garin Gawo, and Azbak in the Bade Local Government Area as well as Goneri, Muftin, Dadingel, and Gotala-Gotumba in Gujba and some parts of Damaturu Local Government Area as a result of the activities of the insurgent.
Additionally, villages in Karasuwa and Potiskum Local Government Areas, such as Karasuwa Mai Kasuwa, Dogo Abare, and Kojeli, are also without electricity.
The lack of power supply has resulted in inadequate water supply in these villages as they rely on diesel and solar-powered boreholes.
The situation is the same in some parts of Jigawa State, particularly, the rural communities.
Residents of these communities say the struggle to access electricity, healthcare and education is a daily reality.
In the Gululu village, Abdu Nuraddeen lamented the difficulties of living without electricity.
“We have to rely on lanterns and candles for lighting, which is not only expensive but also poses a fire hazard,” he said. “Our children struggle to study at night, and we have to travel long distances to access healthcare facilities with electricity,” he further agonised.
In Hadejia, an urban centre, businessman Abubakar Usman expressed frustration with the lack of constant electricity.
“I have to spend a lot of money on generators to power my business, which affects my profit margins. The absence of electricity also limits our ability to store perishable goods, leading to losses,” he added.
A resident of Guri village, Fatima Muhammad, underscored the implication of lack of electricity for healthcare.
“We have to travel to the nearest town with electricity to access medical care, which can be life-threatening in emergencies,” she said.
She added, “The absence of electricity also makes it difficult to store vaccines and other medical supplies.”
In Birnin Kudu town, a student, Habibu Madaki, spoke about the challenges of studying without electricity. “We have to rely on candles and lanterns to study at night, which affects our performance in school.
“The absence of electricity also limits our access to information and educational resources,” he lamented.
Jamilu Abubakar, an indigene of Kiyawa village, stated, “We have to rely on candles and lanterns for lighting, which poses a fire hazard. The absence of electricity also makes it difficult to communicate with the outside world in emergencies.”
However, Aisha Abdullahi who lives in Kafin Hausa, expressed the hope that her community would be connected to the grid soon.
In a related development, some CSOs have cautioned the Federal Government against handing over the $52.88m recovered from a former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to the REA for rural electrification projects.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, had said that $50m of the recovered asset would be allocated to rural electrification projects under the supervision of the World Bank.
The CSOs welcomed the involvement of the World Bank but highlighted the need for vigilance.
The Country Director of Accountability Lab, Friday Odeh, noted that past corruption scandals in the REA had fuelled public scepticism.
Ode explained, “Given the previous corruption scandal within the Rural Electrification Agency, there are significant concerns about allocating the $50m.
‘’Naturally, Nigerians don’t trust public institutions, expecting that government officials will mismanage funds through flawed procurement processes.
‘’This arises from confirmed corruption cases at REA, including recent allegations of fraud. Such has led to a widespread belief that funds earmarked for renewable energy projects could be diverted or self-allocated by officials, as seen in previous instances where funds were misappropriated.
“However, recent developments in the leadership change suggest a potential shift in the REA’s approach. Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission conducted investigations into REA’s financial activities that resulted in the suspension of several management staff.
‘’This indicates a growing commitment to accountability within REA’s new management, taking steps to address past mismanagement, which could restore some hope for the use of $50m and their federal budget.
“Whether the government gives the funds to REA or another agency, there will be a potential mismanagement due to inadequate oversight and accountability mechanisms, to ensure that the fund is used effectively and reaches the intended beneficiaries. Careful consideration must be given to how funds are managed to build trust in public financial management.”
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Rafsanjani, pointed out that the World Bank’s involvement would help prevent the misuse of the money, as it would be subject to audits, progress reports, and other oversight mechanisms.
Rafsanjani also called for the FG to address past failures in properly accounting for recovered assets, both locally and internationally.
He stressed that transparency in managing these funds is crucial for rebuilding trust, both within Nigeria and in the international community.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, echoed a similar concern, urging vigilance in the allocation of the recovered funds.
He noted, “What we need to do is to be more vigilant and to put the anti-corruption agencies on their toes. We should know how much is budgeted for and how much is released, and we should know how much is applied for the purpose for which it was meant. That is what is called efficiency and effectiveness.”
