Energy map will unlock targeted power investments – REA boss

Reliable electricity is the bedrock of Nigeria's development, especially as Artificial Intelligence reshapes the global economy, according to Dr. Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

“

The future is the electrification of everything, which means that whatever you do will depend on electricity, with AI at its centre.

"The future is the electrification of everything, which means that whatever you do will depend on electricity, with AI at its centre," Aliyu stated in a recent interview. He emphasized that AI, while transformative, cannot function without a robust power supply, likening electricity to the essential backbone powering AI platforms like ChatGPT.

“

AI cannot function without electricity. Electricity is the backbone that powers AI, and I will give you a typical example. Many of us have used ChatGPT, which is a well-known AI platform, but what many people do not realise is that behind every response generated by AI is a packet of electricity that powers the process.

The REA has completed a nationwide energy mapping exercise, identifying more than 750,000 communities that require electrification. This initiative aligns with the current administration's focus on providing grants for energy production rather than consumption. By catalyzing the private sector through capital grants, the REA aims to de-risk infrastructure deployment and consequently reduce electricity tariffs.

“

We are already seeing this play out. The future is one in which electricity will determine almost everything we do, and Nigeria is not being left behind.

A key priority for the agency is supporting agricultural clusters. Recognizing that post-harvest losses are a major challenge for Nigeria's agricultural sector, the REA is implementing productive energy solutions. In Namu community, Plateau State, a cluster of rice processors previously reliant on expensive diesel power found their products uncompetitive. The REA's intervention aims to provide reliable electricity, making local processing more economically viable and boosting the competitiveness of Nigerian agricultural products.

“

One of the key priorities during our planning was identifying critical government institutions across three sectors: agriculture, health, and education.