Tinubu appoints Fayose as REA board chair; Aliyu welcomes appointments
President Bola Tinubu has appointed former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency’s Governing Board, alongside Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta as board members. REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu reacted in a statement on Tuesday, welcoming the appointments and describing them as "round pegs in round holes." He said their combined expertise will be vital for advancing the agency’s mission to deliver electricity to rural and underserved communities through solar mini‑grid projects. Aliyu added that President Tinubu’s intentional focus on universal electricity access is evident in these choices, showing the President’s keen commitment to the agency’s success. The appointments signal a renewed push for rural electrification, a sector where Nigeria still struggles with significant access gaps. Solar mini‑grids are seen as a cost‑effective way to power remote areas without extending the national grid. With experienced politicians and engineers now guiding REA, stakeholders expect faster project approvals, better funding allocation, and stronger oversight of ongoing solar initiatives across the country. For Nigerians living off‑grid or relying on inconsistent power, this leadership shift could mean more reliable electricity sooner—potentially boosting small businesses, improving healthcare facilities, and enhancing study conditions for students. Will the new board accelerate solar mini‑grid rollout enough to noticeably improve power availability in your community, or will bureaucratic delays continue to hinder progress?