- The governor of Ekiti State announced plans to install prepaid meters in thousands of homes and reduce the metering gap by 80%.
- A new MoU with the Rural Electrification Agency will drive off-grid projects to improve energy access and economic growth in rural and underserved areas.
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji said on Wednesday that the state is taking concrete steps to close its electricity metering gap, with plans underway to install prepaid meters in thousands of homes.
Speaking at signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Abuja, Oyebanji said the initiative will cut the metering deficit by 80% and curb estimated billing.
He said the state has spent over ₦4 billion reviving electricity infrastructure, reconnecting more than 40 communities to the national grid after years of blackout.
“We have upgraded infrastructure and brought dozens of communities back on the grid,” Oyebanji told journalists. “This has eased the burden on entrepreneurs and fueled local business growth.”
Furthermore, the agreement with REA focuses on off-grid energy projects under the theme Leveraging Public-Private Partnership for Scalable Energy Access Infrastructure. The initiative aims to expand reliable electricity access in unserved and underserved communities, particularly rural areas.
“This is not just about energy or infrastructure,” Oyebanji said. “It’s about people. It’s about lighting homes, powering our economy, and ensuring no community is left behind.”
Meanwhile, REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu praised Ekiti for prioritising rural electrification and creating a supportive environment for energy partnerships. “This collaboration will transform Ekiti’s energy landscape and bring off-grid solutions to the communities that need them most,” he said.
In addition, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, called the agreement a significant milestone in the state’s quest for universal electricity access. He also said it aligns with the state’s broader infrastructure strategy, which targets rural and economically active zones.
Other dignitaries at the MoU signing included the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, and the Technical Advisor on Power Infrastructure, Engr. Philip Atere and REA Executive Directors.