The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has inaugurated the newly constituted Governing Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), charging members to place the needs and wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians at the centre of their decisions.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja, was attended by the Permanent Secretary, the Chairman of the Board, former Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Ayodele Fayose, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REA, members of the Board and senior officials of the Ministry.
Tegbe said the constitution of the new Board aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening governance, accountability and performance across public institutions.
He described the REA as a critical institution for expanding economic opportunities and promoting inclusion, noting that every mini-grid, solar home system and electrification project serving markets, schools, healthcare centres and farms represents an investment in human capital and livelihoods.
According to the Minister, REA’s ongoing initiatives, including the Energizing Education Programme, Energizing Economies Programme, Energizing Agriculture Programme and the Africa Mini-Grids Programme, demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to using electricity access as a catalyst for development.
He noted that the new Board, constituted in accordance with Section 130 of the Electricity Act, assumes office at a crucial period in the development of Nigeria’s power sector.
On governance, Tegbe urged the Board to focus on strategic direction, policy oversight and accountability, while allowing the Agency’s management to handle its day-to-day operations.
He explained that the Board would meet quarterly to assess performance and provide strategic guidance, while Management would retain the operational flexibility required to execute approved programmes, subject to appropriate accountability.
The Minister commended Chairman Fayose for his experience in public service as a former Governor of Ekiti State and expressed confidence in the capacity of the newly appointed members to contribute meaningfully to the Agency’s mandate.
Tegbe assured the Board of the Ministry’s continued support and partnership, stressing that electricity should be viewed not merely as a utility but as a powerful instrument for inclusion, opportunity and prosperity.
Responding on behalf of the Board, Chairman Fayose described Tegbe’s appointment as Minister of Power as a strong indication of President Tinubu’s determination to find a lasting solution to Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
Fayose said the appointment reflected the administration’s seriousness about transforming the power sector, describing Tegbe as a technocrat with strong technical expertise and managerial competence.
He noted that the Minister’s leadership had already begun to create a positive turning point in the sector, assuring that the REA Board was prepared to work closely with him to advance the Federal Government’s electrification agenda.
The new Board is expected to provide strategic leadership and oversight as REA continues its efforts to expand access to reliable electricity, particularly in underserved and rural communities across Nigeria.