NCDC PARTNERS RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AGENCY TO TACKLE ACUTE ENERGY DEFICIT IN THE NORTH CENTRAL
The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) is set to partner with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to address the acute energy deficit affecting communities in the North Central region.
This commitment was made during a strategic visit by the Management of the NCDC to the Managing Director/CEO of REA Engr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu in Abuja, where both organizations discussed areas of collaboration aimed at boosting energy access and driving socio-economic development.
The Managing Director/CEO of NCDC, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, was represented by the Executive Director, Finance, Prof. Mohammad Bashar Nuhu, who led the Commission’s delegation. Prof. Nuhu noted that both NCDC and REA share a common vision of enhancing rural transformation, economic prosperity and improving livelihoods through increased access to reliable power.
He emphasized the Commission’s determination to make strategic investments in solar energy solutions for essential sectors such as water supply and sanitation, healthcare, agro-processing, irrigation, and social infrastructure, particularly in rural cluster development.
Prof. Nuhu added that the Commission aims to stimulate industrial growth by supporting MSMEs, artisans, and other small-scale enterprises that rely on power to operate and create employment opportunities. He called on REA to support the NCDC with data, technical capacity building, and alignment of policies to avoid duplication and ensure efficient resource utilization.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Projects, Princess Atika Ajanah, assured REA of NCDC’s commitment to ensuring that the partnership is sealed and sustained through a workable Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
In his remarks, the Managing Director/CEO of REA, Engr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, welcomed the NCDC team and expressed readiness to partner with the Commission, describing NCDC as new but strategic, ambitious, and focused on transformative development.
He acknowledged that energy deficit remains a major challenge in the North Central region and noted that the collaboration with NCDC presents a unique opportunity to implement high-impact energy projects capable of unlocking development across communities.
Engr. Abba disclosed that REA is currently implementing various electrification projects across the North Central states but stressed that more still needs to be done. He highlighted emerging opportunities such as the establishment of solar battery manufacturing hubs and training centers that will build local capacity and create jobs.
He assured the Commission of REA’s full support and encouraged both institutions to expedite the process of finalizing the MoU to fast-track intervention efforts in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
- North Central Development Commission (NCDC) Media.
7th November, 2025.