REA, NBS ink MoU to boost electrification planning

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has taken a significant step towards improving energy planning and investment in Nigeria by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to conduct a comprehensive National Energy Survey.

The agreement, signed on Monday, December 15, 2025, aims to deploy the World Bank’s Multi-Tier Tracking Framework (MTF) to generate credible and granular data on energy access across the country.

Speaking on the partnership, the Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, described the collaboration as a critical move to close Nigeria’s energy access gap through evidence-based decision-making.

"For me, this partnership is about one simple but powerful idea: we cannot close Nigeria’s energy access gap without credible, granular, and trusted data," Aliyu stated.

The survey is designed to provide a clearer picture of the electricity experience of Nigerians, focusing on availability, affordability, reliability, and the impact of off-grid solutions, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

According to the REA boss, insights from the survey will directly inform key national initiatives such as the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NESIP).

He added that the data would strengthen investor confidence and enable the agency to plan smarter, faster, and more sustainably.

Aliyu expressed gratitude to the Statistician-General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, and the NBS team for bringing their technical rigor and sampling expertise to the project.

He noted that the bureau's involvement ensures the data meets global standards capable of supporting long-term policy and development outcomes.
The initiative is supported by the World Bank through the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).

"Data remains the backbone of effective electrification and this partnership strengthens that foundation for Nigeria," Aliyu concluded, reaffirming the agency's commitment to transparent energy planning.