By Ayomide Otitoju
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has inaugurated the newly constituted Governing Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Abuja, urging members to prioritise decisions that improve the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.
The inauguration was attended by the Permanent Secretary, REA Board Chairman and former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, the agency’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, other board members and senior officials of the Ministry of Power.
Tegbe said the constitution of the new board was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen governance and accountability across public institutions.
He described the REA as an important institution for expanding economic opportunities, noting that projects such as mini-grids, solar home systems and electrification of markets, schools, healthcare centres and farms could contribute to human capital development and economic inclusion.
The Minister cited the agency’s Energising Education, Economies and Agriculture programmes and the Africa Mini-Grids Programme as examples of initiatives supporting the government’s electricity access agenda.
He noted that the board, constituted under Section 130 of the Electricity Act, assumed office at a critical period for the agency and urged members to provide effective strategic direction and oversight.
Tegbe also clarified the respective responsibilities of the board and management, stressing that while the board would focus on strategic direction and oversight, management would remain responsible for the agency’s day-to-day operations.
He said the board would meet quarterly to review performance, while management would retain operational flexibility between meetings, subject to accountability.
The Minister commended Fayose for his experience as a former governor of Ekiti State and assured the new board of the Ministry’s continued support.
Responding on behalf of the board, Fayose said President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Tegbe as Minister of Power demonstrated the administration’s seriousness about addressing Nigeria’s longstanding electricity challenges.
He described Tegbe as a technocrat with strong technical expertise and managerial competence, saying his leadership had contributed to positive developments in the power sector.
Fayose assured that the REA leadership was committed to working with the Minister to advance efforts to expand electricity access and support sustainable development across Nigeria.
Tegbe said electricity should be viewed not only as a utility but also as an instrument for inclusion, opportunity and prosperity.
