Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, has described the new mini-grid regulations released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as a turning point for the country’s renewable energy sector.
The regulations, announced recently by NERC, are designed to streamline the approval and implementation process for mini-grid projects, particularly those powered by solar energy. Aliyu said the new framework aligns policy with the practical realities faced by developers, removing bureaucratic bottlenecks that have long delayed critical electrification projects in underserved communities.
For too long, vital projects were delayed and investments slowed due to a system that failed to match the ambition of the Nigerian people, he said. He emphasized that the reform will unlock massive opportunities for millions of Nigerians currently living without reliable power, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Aliyu praised NERC Chairman Dr. Musiliu Olalekan Oseni and his team for their openness to collaboration, noting that their leadership has already begun to reshape the sector. He stressed that for developers working under major REA initiatives such as DARES, NEP, and the Energizing Education Program, the impact of the new rules is immediate.
The work now shifts from navigating bureaucratic hurdles to accelerating the deployment of infrastructure that can finally meet the true demand of underserved communities, he said. He added that these reforms will ensure that once a project is built, it is commissioned and delivers power to the people without unnecessary delay.
The mini-grid regulations are expected to catalyze large-scale solar electrification across Nigeria, supporting the country’s broader goals of increasing energy access, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and fostering sustainable economic development.
