Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has hosted the Director-General of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abbas D. Abubakar, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja to reinforce collaboration aimed at expanding sustainable electricity access across Nigeria.
The strategic meeting, held in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for national development, focused on aligning government efforts to tackle persistent challenges in power generation and distribution—particularly in rural and underserved communities—while accelerating environmentally responsible energy initiatives.
“Reliable power remains a catalyst for socio-economic transformation,” Minister Lawal stated, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to supporting REA’s programs.
He pledged to prioritize and fast-track Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) for REA projects and reaffirmed support for the Green Bond Project as a sustainable financing mechanism for renewable and eco-friendly investments.
The Ministry also committed to deeper collaboration with the REA on waste management, the National Circular Economy Roadmap, and the National Policy on Kerosene-Lantern Phase-Out, all aimed at fostering cleaner energy adoption and environmental sustainability.
In his remarks, REA Director-General Abbas D. Abubakar welcomed the partnership and highlighted the agency’s ongoing programmes, including the Rural Electrification Fund, solar home systems, solar mini-grids, the Energizing Education Programme, and Solar Power Naija. He said these projects are designed to expand access to electricity while reducing carbon emissions and advancing Nigeria’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
Both parties acknowledged persistent challenges such as bureaucratic delays and capacity limitations affecting project execution and long-term sustainability. To address these, they agreed to establish a joint task force that will monitor project implementation, facilitate regular consultations, resolve administrative bottlenecks, and ensure that REA initiatives proceed with minimal environmental impact and maximum community benefit.
The renewed partnership between the Ministry of Environment and the REA is expected to enhance clean energy access, stimulate job creation in rural areas, attract both public and private sector investment through instruments like the Green Bond Project, and help reduce Nigeria’s national carbon footprint.
Officials say these outcomes will contribute significantly to Nigeria’s transition toward a greener economy, while advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda’s objectives of inclusive economic growth, improved livelihoods, and sustainable national development.
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