- The MD REA, Abba Aliyu, confirmed that 13 governors had paid their 30% counterpart funding for the e-HEART project.
- The project aims to electrify 925 rural communities nationwide through renewable energy-powered mini-grids
Thirteen state governors have already fulfilled their financial obligations under the Federal Government’s e-HEART project, a significant step toward bridging Nigeria’s rural energy gap. This strategic initiative, spearheaded by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), targets the deployment of renewable-energy-powered mini-grids to electrify 925 rural communities across the country.
The Energising Healthcare, Education, Agriculture, Rural Communities, and Transportation, e-HEART initiative is a flagship programme under the REA designed as a collaborative model in which the Federal Government provides 60% of the funds, subnational governments contribute 30%, and the private sector supplies the remaining 10%.
The initiative’s ultimate goal is to electrify 25 communities in Nigeria’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
During an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, REA’s Managing Director/CEO, Abba Aliyu, revealed that thirteen governors have already paid their share of the funds required to kickstart the project in their respective states.
These governors include Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), and Mohammed Bago (Niger). Others who have committed to the project are Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Peter Mbah (Enugu).
The e-HEART programme aims to improve electricity access and stimulate growth in key development sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and transportation.
According to REA’s MD, Aliyu, the agency has conducted detailed surveys to identify suitable communities in each state. He emphasised that while project costs vary based on local needs, the funding model remains consistent nationwide.
Aliyu noted that the initiative has received enthusiastic responses from the participating states and hinted that more governors are preparing to board. He urged state governments to seize the opportunity and reduce energy gaps in their jurisdictions. “We are seeing a very positive reception from the subnationals,” he said. “More than thirteen states have already committed 30% funding.”
In addition to e-HEART, the REA is executing several complementary initiatives. For instance, the World Bank-funded $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project attracts private-sector investment to address Nigeria’s persistent electricity access challenges. Aliyu explained that these efforts are designed to create an enabling environment where public and private actors can collaborate effectively.
Moreover, the REA implements EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) and grant-based projects. National Assembly appropriations often finance the EPC interventions, directing the REA to install transformers, extend grids, or build mini-grids.
“They dictate how we intervene in that regard,” he said, referring to EPC-based projects funded directly by legislative allocations. In addition, development partners provide grants for pilot projects that, once proven viable, are scaled across other regions.
Notably, Lagos State stands out with a dedicated $20 million allocation for public sector solarisation, currently the highest investment under this programme. “No other state has gotten that much,” Aliyu noted. This targeted funding underscores the state’s strategic importance and REA’s commitment to nationwide coverage.
Meanwhile, energy experts have praised the e-HEART project for its potential impact. Professor Dayo Ayoade, an energy law scholar at the University of Lagos, described the initiative as timely and commendable. He stressed that Nigeria’s power sector needs reform and that any effort to extend electricity access deserves public support.
However, while commendable, Professor Ayoade cautioned that the initiative remains an ad hoc solution. He urged the Federal Government to begin implementing a more comprehensive national energy access plan.
“Some governors may be reluctant to invest in REA-led projects if they’ve already taken over their state electricity markets,” he explained. “They might prefer to channel available funds into their local power initiatives.”
Despite these challenges, the e-HEART programme represents a critical milestone in Nigeria’s rural electrification journey.
Through a collaborative funding model and a clear focus on renewable energy, the initiative positions itself as a sustainable solution to one of the country’s most pressing development issues. If scaled successfully, it could offer a blueprint for public-private partnerships across the continent.