The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has inaugurated the newly constituted Governing Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), charging members to prioritise people-centred leadership and ensure their decisions improve the lives of Nigerians.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Tegbe urged the board to focus on expanding electricity access while promoting accountability and effective governance in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, REA Governing Board Chairman Ayodele Fayose, the Agency’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, board members and other senior ministry officials.
The minister described the inauguration as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening governance and accountability across public institutions.
According to him, the Rural Electrification Agency remains central to expanding economic opportunities, noting that every mini-grid, solar home system, and electrified market, school, health centre or farm contributes to human capital development and economic inclusion.
Tegbe highlighted the agency’s ongoing initiatives, including the Energising Education Programme, Energising Economies Programme, Energising Agriculture Programme and the Africa Mini-Grids Programme, describing them as key drivers of the government’s rural electrification agenda.
He noted that the new board, constituted under Section 130 of the Electricity Act, assumes office at a critical period for the agency.
The minister also emphasised the distinction between the board’s responsibility for strategic direction and oversight and the management’s role in handling the agency’s daily operations, stressing that management remains fully accountable for implementation while the board provides policy guidance and performance oversight.
Tegbe commended Board Chairman Ayodele Fayose for his leadership experience as a former governor of Ekiti State and assured the board of the ministry’s continued support in achieving its mandate.
Responding on behalf of the board, Fayose described President Tinubu’s appointment of Tegbe as Minister of Power as a demonstration of the administration’s determination to tackle Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
He praised the minister’s technical expertise and leadership, saying his approach had already brought renewed momentum to the power sector.
Fayose also expressed the board’s commitment to working closely with the minister and the REA management to expand electricity access and support sustainable development across the country.