The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) says it has completed the installation of solar power systems in 15 universities across Nigeria as part of ongoing efforts to expand access to reliable electricity through renewable energy.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Abba Aliyu, disclosed this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

Aliyu said the universities have been fully integrated into solar farms under the agency’s Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, which is designed to improve electricity access nationwide using clean energy solutions.

According to him, the DARES initiative is the world’s largest publicly funded renewable energy access project and is expected to provide electricity to about 17.5 million Nigerians.

He noted that the programme has continued to attract strong private-sector participation, contributing to the rapid expansion of renewable energy infrastructure across the country.

Aliyu disclosed that the agency is currently deploying more than 1,000 mini-grids nationwide, including both isolated and interconnected systems, in what he described as a first for Nigeria.

He added that the REA is implementing 48 interconnected mini-grid projects in partnership with electricity distribution companies, with completion timelines of between six and eight months.

The REA boss also said the agency has secured commitments from several Nigerian banks to support renewable energy projects through equipment financing, debt financing and bridge financing for private-sector operators.

On project planning, Aliyu revealed that the agency had completed a nationwide mapping exercise to identify communities without adequate electricity supply.

According to him, the exercise identified more than 750,000 communities across Nigeria, providing data that will guide future renewable energy interventions and accelerate efforts to expand electricity access nationwide.