Abuja, Nigeria— President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed the appointment of Abba Abubakar Aliyu as the substantive Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The appointment, announced by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga, took effect on January 23, 2025, for an initial tenure of four years.
Aliyu, who has been serving as Acting Managing Director since March 2024, brings over two decades of experience in energy and organizational development across Nigeria’s private and public sectors. He has played pivotal roles in on-grid and off-grid power initiatives, as well as in the water resources and transportation sectors.
Before his appointment, Aliyu held senior leadership positions, including Head of the Project Management Unit at the Nigeria Electrification Project, General Manager of Corporate Services, Projects, and Research, and Deputy General Manager at Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET).
President Tinubu expressed confidence that Aliyu’s extensive expertise would drive the REA’s mission of delivering reliable electricity to rural communities, aligning with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda on sustainable energy development.
Aliyu’s appointment follows the suspension of Ahmad Salihijo, former Managing Director of REA, alongside three executive directors in March 2024. The President’s decision was based on findings from an extensive investigation into the agency’s financial operations.
The investigation revealed fraudulent expenditures totaling over N1.2 billion, part of which has been recovered by anti-graft agencies.
Those suspended alongside Salihijo included the Executive Directors of Corporate Services, Olaniyi Netufo, Technical Services, Barka Sajou, and Rural Electrification Fund, Sa’adatu Balgore.
President Tinubu also directed a comprehensive investigation into the conduct of the suspended officials to ensure accountability within the agency.
By Taiwo Olatinwo| February 1, 2025
