Power minister Tegbe commissions 505kWp solar mini-grid in Lagos, hails REA’s rural electrification drive
Omeiza Bilal
The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, on Wednesday commissioned a 505 kilowatt-peak (kWp) interconnected solar mini-grid in Eredo Community, Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, describing the project as a practical demonstration of the Federal Government’s electricity access agenda.
Speaking at the commissioning, Tegbe said the project would deliver “cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable electricity” to households, schools, healthcare facilities and businesses in the community.
He commended the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and its Managing Director, Dr Abba Aliyu, for what he called a transformation of the agency “from a body of admirable mandate but modest delivery, into an institution that is genuinely, visibly, measurably changing lives across Nigeria.”
The minister disclosed that over 1,000 mini-grids are currently under development nationwide, while solar home systems under the World Bank-backed Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) initiative have reached nearly 3.9 million Nigerians.
He cited recent commissionings in Kogi, Sokoto and Katsina states as evidence that “the energy transition is not an abstract policy document,” noting it was unfolding “community by community, kilowatt by kilowatt, life by life.”
Tegbe thanked the European Union, the German Government and the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), implemented through GIZ, for backing the project under the Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS).
He linked the project to the Electricity Act 2023 and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which targets net-zero emissions by 2060, and pledged continued federal collaboration with states, development partners and private investors to replicate the Eredo model nationwide.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) said Wednesday that the commissioning of the 504kW Epe Interconnected Mini-Grid in Lagos marks a major step in Nigeria’s push for reliable, productive and sustainable electricity.
Speaking at the inauguration under the Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS), the REA boss said the project was “not simply a power project” but “economic opportunity, industrial productivity, enterprise growth, and a sustainable future for the people of Epe.”
He described the mini-grid as “a powerful testament” to what can be achieved when “visionary leadership, strong partnerships, innovative financing, and community ownership converge around a common objective.”
The REA chief praised the Minister of Power for providing “strategic leadership” and an “enabling environment required for private sector participation and renewable energy investments to thrive.”
According to him, the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, the promotion of decentralised energy solutions and continued sector reforms have “accelerated the pace at which innovative projects such as IMAS are being delivered across the country.”
He also commended the European Union and the Government of Germany for their support, saying their intervention goes “far beyond infrastructure.”
“They are investing in livelihoods, entrepreneurship, climate resilience, economic inclusion, and sustainable development,” he said.
The agency’s boss said IMAS has shown that decentralised renewable energy can “complement existing distribution infrastructure, improve electricity reliability, stimulate local economies, and enhance the quality of life of citizens.”
He said projects delivered under the scheme have already provided “reliable and affordable electricity” to thousands of households, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and productive-use enterprises.
He said Epe now joins “a growing network of success stories,” adding that the new infrastructure will serve homes, businesses and critical institutions while reducing dependence on self-generation.
The REA boss disclosed that the agency is already pursuing “an additional 5MW of renewable energy capacity” for Epe and surrounding clusters to support industry, agro-processing, cold-chain systems, digital enterprises and schools. “The government alone cannot deliver universal energy access. Development partners alone cannot achieve scale. The private sector alone cannot overcome every market barrier,” he said, stressing that collaboration remains the real engine of Nigeria’s energy transition.
He urged residents to protect the facility and use it productively for their shared prosperity ahead.
