L-R: Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, Barr. Ismael Ahmed, MD/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and the MD/CEO of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr Armstrong Takang exchanging pleasantries with the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, at the commissioning of 20 electric buses for the Abia Green Shuttle Service in Umuahia, Abia state yesterday.
Governor of Abia State, Nigeria, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to accelerate renewable energy deployment across the state, declaring that Abia cannot afford to remain behind in Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
The governor made the commitment on Thursday while receiving a high-level delegation from the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV) at the Government House in Umuahia.
Governor Otti acknowledged that despite Abia’s enormous renewable energy potential, progress in implementing clean energy projects had not matched expectations. He, however, assured the delegation that his administration would take immediate steps to revive stalled initiatives and operationalise existing agreements with the federal agency.
According to the governor, decisive action would be taken within the next two weeks to unlock key renewable energy opportunities available to the state.
“Just watch us and see what will happen in the next 14 days. It’s very interesting to watch this presentation. I would like to have another session with you because some of the data you captured here are what I need to work with. You can be sure that you will hear from us within the next 14 days, and the lowest-hanging fruit is this initiative covering ten states,” Otti said.
The governor also highlighted Abia State’s early investments in electric mobility, noting that the introduction of pioneer electric buses had already begun delivering encouraging results in advancing the state’s green energy agenda.
To strengthen collaboration with the federal government, Otti announced that a dedicated state focal person would be appointed immediately to coordinate renewable energy programmes and ensure faster implementation of ongoing projects.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Dr. Abba Aliyu, said the agency had completed nationwide mapping to identify underserved communities requiring electricity access through renewable energy solutions.
Aliyu disclosed that the REA is currently deploying about 1,000 mini-grids across different states as part of efforts to expand electricity access and deepen Nigeria’s rural electrification programme.
He recalled that although an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the REA and Abia State had experienced implementation delays, the agency remained fully prepared to support the state once it demonstrated renewed commitment to executing the projects.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Strategy Officer, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, alongside members of the Abia State Executive Council.
The renewed engagement signals a potential boost for renewable energy development in Abia State as Nigeria continues to pursue cleaner energy alternatives, expand electricity access to underserved communities, and accelerate its transition towards a low-carbon economy.
