The Federal Government of Nigeria is implementing what is being described as the largest publicly funded renewable electricity programme in the world, designed to expand power access through mini-grids, solar infrastructure, and off-grid electrification projects nationwide, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, has said.
Aliyu made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja while hosting a delegation from the National Judicial Institute, where discussions focused on deploying solar solutions to support electricity supply at the institute’s training facilities.
He explained that the $750 million renewable electrification programme is expected to catalyse $1.1 billion in private sector investment and will deploy 1,350 mini-grids across the country, including 250 interconnected mini-grids that feed directly into the national grid.
“For the first time, we are witnessing the implementation of the biggest publicly funded renewable electricity project in the entire world,” Aliyu said, noting that the programme would significantly boost electricity supply to underserved communities while supporting Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
Aliyu also highlighted the agency’s large-scale solar projects under the Energising Education Programme, which provides dedicated power to federal universities and teaching hospitals. To date, 15 projects have been completed, including a 12-megawatt solar installation powering a university campus, teaching hospital, and water treatment plant. Other federal universities benefiting include those in Maiduguri, Gashua, Akure, Nasarawa, Kogi, Imo, Ebonyi, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.
Eight additional large solar projects are ready for implementation in institutions such as the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Benin, Federal University Wukari, and Federal University Dutse.
The President has also approved N100 billion for the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative, which targets public institutions with unreliable grid supply or high electricity costs, including the Department of State Services, EFCC, ICPC, National Hospital in Abuja, and several tertiary institutions.
Aliyu assured the visiting National Judicial Institute delegation that the institute would also be considered for solar electrification, following an energy audit to determine optimal mini-grid size, distribution, and metering systems.
Earlier, the President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, commended the agency for improving electricity access, emphasizing that stable power is essential for hospitals, training centres, courts, and other modern institutions. He highlighted that the National Judicial Institute accommodates around 900 residents across 300 buildings, making reliable electricity crucial for its operations and training programmes.
Nigeria faces one of the largest electricity access gaps globally, with over 85 million Nigerians lacking reliable power. Despite a national grid capacity of 13,000 megawatts, actual generation often ranges between 3,500MW and 5,000MW, leaving many reliant on diesel and petrol generators.
Through off-grid renewable energy solutions, mini-grids, and standalone systems, the REA aims to bridge this gap, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and stimulate economic growth across rural communities, public institutions, and educational facilities.
