REA boss has just 24 hours to explain N151bn, $550m grants

Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, to appear before lawmakers and account for billions of naira and hundreds of millions of dollars in loans and grants handled by the agency.

The directive was issued during a public hearing in Abuja on Tuesday after lawmakers expressed frustration over Aliyu’s repeated failure to honour invitations to explain the utilisation of funds allocated to rural electrification projects.

Lawmakers warned that failure to comply with the ultimatum could lead to his arrest, with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force,e authorised to compel his appearance before the committee.

Lawmakers cite repeated absence, demand accountability

Members of the committee said the ultimatum became necessary after several invitation letters sent to the REA managing director were ignored despite being acknowledged.

Rep. Shina Oyedeji told the hearing that Aliyu had another opportunity to appear before the committee, but neither attended nor delegated any official to represent the agency.

Committee members disclosed that the agency received about N151 billion in government appropriations between 2015 and 2024 for projects including solar hybrid mini-grids, solar home systems and street lighting initiatives aimed at improving electricity access across Nigeria.

In addition to domestic funding, lawmakers said the agency received approximately $550 million in grants from development partners such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank between 2018 and 2024.

The funds were intended to support solar mini-grid expansion, provide energy-efficient equipment and improve electricity supply in public institutions such as universities and teaching hospitals.

Lawmakers also noted that about N13 billion was contributed to the Rural Electrification Fund during the same period, alongside an additional $8 million grant from the German government and the European Union in 2022.

Probe linked to wider investigation into renewable energy spending

The ultimatum is part of a broader investigation by the House of Representatives into investments, procurement and foreign grants linked to renewable energy programmes across Ministries, Departments and Agencies since 2015.

Lawmakers said the probe was necessary due to concerns that over $2 billion in renewable energy investments and donor funding had not resulted in significant improvements in electricity access nationwide.

Projects such as the Nigeria Electrification Project, a $200 million off-grid initiative designed to provide electricity to more than 500,000 people, were cited as examples requiring greater scrutiny.

Committee Chairman Rep. Afam Ogene said at least five invitation letters had been sent to Aliyu, but he failed to appear or provide explanations regarding the utilisation of the funds.

He ruled that the REA boss must appear before the committee by 11 a.m. Wednesday or risk arrest.

Donor confidence, electricity access at stake

Lawmakers emphasised that accountability for donor-funded projects is critical to maintaining Nigeria’s credibility with international partners that support electrification efforts.

Nigeria has increasingly relied on donor funding and partnerships to close electricity access gaps, particularly in rural communities where extending the national grid remains difficult and costly.

The REA plays a central role in implementing off-grid and renewable energy programmes aimed at improving electricity access in underserved areas, coordinating donor-funded projects and supporting national electrification targets.

Failure to properly account for such funds, lawmakers warned, could undermine both public trust and future international support for Nigeria’s energy sector.

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