Tinubu sets agenda for Abba Aliyu as new boss of Rural Electrification Agency

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has urged Abba Aliyu, the new Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to leverage his expertise to further the agency’s mission of providing rural communities with reliable electric power.

“This would contribute to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda on sustainable energy and power,” President Tinubu said in a statement announcing the appointment of Aliyu as substantive Managing Director of REA on Friday.

The appointment of Aliyu as REA boss, effective from Jan. 23, is for an initial term of four years, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement.

Aliyu has been acting as the agency’s managing director since March 2024 until the confirmation of his appointment.

“He has over 20 years of experience in energy and organisational development in the private and public sectors.

“He has played key leadership roles in the on-grid and off-grid power sectors, as well as the water resources and transportation sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

“Previously, he was head of the Project Management Unit at the Nigeria Electrification Project; General Manager of Corporate Services, Projects, and Research.

”He was also the Deputy General Manager at Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET),” the statement said.