The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), in collaboration with the Benue State Government, has taken a major step toward transforming the State’s energy landscape with the convening of the 24th State-by-State Energy Roundtable on 28 January 2026.
The high-level engagement, held under the theme “From Strategy to Impact: Accelerating Private Investment in Benue State Renewable Energy Ecosystem”, forms part of REA’s strategic initiative to deepen the practical implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 and the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NESIP). The Roundtable is designed to catalyze data-driven investments across Nigeria’s 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.
Since the passage of the Electricity Act 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the REA has remained at the forefront of translating policy reforms into measurable impact.
Through decentralized and investment-ready approaches, the Agency continues to support States in developing functional electricity markets that attract private capital and expand energy access.
The REA–Benue State Roundtable brought together over 300 stakeholders, including renewable energy service companies (RESCOs), policymakers, financiers, innovators, development partners, and community representatives. Discussions focused on aligning federal reforms with subnational execution to unlock Benue State’s renewable energy potential.
Widely known as Nigeria’s food basket, Benue State was presented with practical, data-backed strategies to integrate energy access with agricultural value chains. Beyond agriculture, the REA highlighted the multi-sectoral benefits of renewable energy investments, including improvements in education, healthcare delivery, security, and local economic development.
During the session, the REA and key Benue State officials explored opportunities under several flagship programmes, including the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, the National Public Sector Solarization Initiative (NPSSI), and the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
Briefing the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Dr. Abba Aliyu, presented an in-depth assessment of the State’s electricity market. According to the REA’s data, over 1.2 million residents in Benue State could potentially be powered through solar mini-grids. The Agency also identified 3,821 potential mini-grid sites, with an estimated 651 communities having more than 100 viable connections for private sector developers.
Dr. Aliyu noted that economically viable locations include Odejo, Mbadede, Gwer, Tarka, Otukpo, Obi, Makurdi, and Gboko, describing them as high-impact investment opportunities for renewable energy developers. He further spotlighted existing renewable energy infrastructure in the State, such as functional mini-grids, grid extension projects, solar-powered irrigation systems, solar streetlights, and solar home systems, while emphasizing the need to scale up deployment.
In his remarks, Governor Alia acknowledged the longstanding challenges of poor energy access in the State, noting that the Electricity Act 2023 presents a historic opportunity for energy independence.
“The 2023 Electricity Act enacted by the Federal Government presents a historic opportunity for energy independence, and my administration is fully committed to leveraging this framework to reverse years of energy gaps, expand access, and attract private sector participation,” the Governor said.
He added that his administration has taken deliberate steps to establish clear pathways for a functional State electricity market, stressing that investor confidence depends on clarity, predictability, and efficient project coordination. Commending the REA, the Governor expressed admiration for the depth of data available to the Agency and assured RESCOs of Benue State’s readiness to welcome investors and developers.
The successful conclusion of the REA–Benue State Roundtable marks another milestone in Nigeria’s evolving electricity sector, demonstrating how federal reforms can be effectively localized. The REA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a favorable investment climate, promoting innovative renewable energy solutions, encouraging private sector participation, and building sustainable systems and skills pipelines to support energy infrastructure growth across the States.
