BUDGIT Foundation, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Publish What You Pay (PWYP) are currently working out modalities to provide electricity access to over 20 million Nigerians.

At a stakeholders’ roundtable yesterday in Abuja, themed: ‘Promoting Renewable Energy Adoption in Nigeria’, experts highlighted the nuances, challenges, and solutions to clean energy advancement in Nigeria.

The Technical Advisor to the Managing Director of REA, Waziri Muzamil, warned that over 20 million Nigerians would not have access to electricity if nothing is done between 2025 and 2030.

Noting that stakeholders have already identified the least cost model towards the electrification of all Nigerians, he disclosed that analysis has revealed that $23 billion is required between now and 2030 to bridge the access gap.

Waziri said: “By 2030, we would have over 20 million Nigerians, who would not have access to electricity if nothing is done. So, right now, at REA, the financing to bridge that gap in terms of cost is $23 billion, and that is the least cost model if you are taking electricity to all communities.

“We currently have 20 million Nigerians who don’t have access to electricity, and population growth is going by three per cent. Meanwhile, energy access is growing by 1.1 per cent. So, you will start to see that the population growth is going at a much faster rate than the energy accessories.”

MEANWHILE, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has formally inaugurated the NCC–REA Collaboration Committee, marking a pivotal step towards advancing Nigeria’s digital and energy inclusion objectives by developing modalities for the deployment of renewable energy to support telecom infrastructure in Nigeria.

The inauguration, held at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja, was presided over by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, who was joined by the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, along with senior executives and committee members from both organisations.

In his address, Maida described the collaboration between NCC and REA as a timely and strategic alignment of national priorities, aimed at bridging the connectivity and power gaps that continue to limit development in Nigeria’s rural and underserved areas.

He noted that while telecommunications infrastructure requires reliable and sustainable energy to function optimally, renewable energy solutions also benefit from the demand generated by expanding digital services and connected communities.

Maida stated: “Whether it is powering a base station or enabling a child to access digital learning, this partnership has the potential to transform realities and bring opportunity closer to the people.”