President Bola Tinubu has appointed Abba Aliyu as the managing director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

 

On March 7, 2024, Tinubu ordered the indefinite suspension of Salihijo Ahmad, former MD of the agency, over an alleged N1.2bn fraud.

 

Following his suspension, the president appointed Aliyu as acting MD of the agency.

 

A statement on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Aliyu’s appointment takes effect from January 23.

 

“He has over 20 years of experience in energy and organisational development in the private and public sectors. He has played key leadership roles in the on-grid and off-grid power sectors, as well as the water resources and transportation sectors of Nigeria’s economy,” the statement reads.

 

“Previously, he was 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 anticipates that Aliyu will leverage his extensive expertise to further the REA’s mission of providing rural communities with reliable electric power and contributing to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda on sustainable energy and power.”