The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has revealed that more than 20,000 communities in Nigeria are in darkness, lacking connection to the power grid. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, the managing director of the organization, mentioned this at the opening of two mini-grid projects in the Kwande and Bakin Ciyawa areas of the Qua’an Pan Local Council of Plateau State. Aliyu’s revelation draws attention to the substantial disparity in access to Electricity in Nigeria’s rural areas, where millions of people still lack dependable power.
This revelation also highlights Nigeria’s long-standing disparity in access to energy, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas. Nigeria, which boasts the biggest Economy in Africa, has struggled for decades to achieve a steady supply of energy, with rural areas bearing most of the brunt. Many people in the impacted communities, which are dispersed over several states, depend on generators, firewood, and kerosene lamps for illumination and other essential energy requirements. Particularly, the lack of electricity in over 20,000 communities has significant ramifications for the growth of the nation.
Renewable energy solutions as a path to rural electrification.
Lack of electricity in these communities significantly hampers small enterprises, reduces agricultural output, and limits the capacity to store goods and food in rural areas. The REA, which is responsible for supplying electricity to rural and off-grid populations, has been attempting to close this gap through numerous initiatives, such as solar mini-grids, freestanding home systems, and other Renewable Energy alternatives. The continuous deployment of mini-grid systems and other renewable energy alternatives is part of a larger initiative to supply off-grid villages with sustainable electricity and address the disparity.
Projects like the ones launched in Plateau State, built under the Interconnected Mini-grid Accelerated Scheme (IMAS) to provide over 3,500 households and businesses with a steady supply of electricity, are seen to be the most practical way to provide power availability to isolated places, considering the prohibitive cost and logistical challenges associated with grid expansion. Nonetheless, the challenge is still immense, judging by the sheer number of communities reportedly still lacking access to electricity.
Achieving universal energy access is still far away.
With over 20,000 communities still in darkness, achieving universal energy access—one of Nigeria’s main development goals—will need more financing, consistent policies, and improved collaborations between the public and private sectors. Although the government’s Renewable Energy Master Plan, as well as initiatives like the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, have made some headway, industry observers contend that electrification in the country must proceed at a much faster rate.
Nigeria’s power industry nevertheless faces significant challenges, such as transmission bottlenecks, aged infrastructure, and irregular gas supplies to power plants. Due to their distance from urban areas, rural towns frequently experience the least amount of improvement in the industry. In these communities, located across several states, residents rely on generators, kerosene lamps, and firewood to meet their basic energy needs, including lighting and cooking. Aliyu’s revelation is a depressing reminder of how much work remains to be done.
Related Article: Govt plans electricity tariff hike in Nigeria
For the residents of Bakin Ciyawa, Kwande, and other settlements that were fortunate enough to get mini-grid installations, the arrival of electricity marks a turning point from blank darkness. It brings promises of better healthcare, greater educational opportunities, and better livelihoods. However, for the tens of thousands of communities yet to be reached, the hope for light remains distant. REA’s ongoing endeavor shows that renewable energy has the potential to revolutionize rural Nigeria, but persistent dedication from all stakeholders will be essential to guaranteeing that no community is left behind in the country’s quest for universal access to reliable energy.