REA, NBS Sign MoU to Strengthen  Energy Data in Nigeria

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the conduct of a comprehensive National Energy Survey using the Multi-Tier Tracking Framework (MTF) in Nigeria.

The MoU, a statement from the REA said yesterday, formalises a strategic partnership between the two federal government agencies to provide mutual collaboration and technical support for the survey, which is being implemented under the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) of the World Bank.

The initiative is designed to generate high-quality, analytical data to support evidence-based planning and policy formulation in Nigeria’s power and energy sector.

The agreement was signed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REA, Dr. Abba Aliyu, and the Statistician-General of the Federation/Chief Executive Officer of the NBS, Adeyemi Adeniran, in Abuja.

Speaking on the collaboration, Aliyu noted that the partnership underscored REA’s commitment to data-driven rural electrification planning.

“This collaboration will provide granular, credible data on electricity access, affordability, and off-grid energy solutions across Nigeria. The findings will directly inform national electrification initiatives such as the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NESIP), while also strengthening investor confidence in the sector,” he said.

For his part, Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation, emphasised the importance of sound statistical standards in national surveys.

“NBS is pleased to provide technical oversight, sampling expertise, and quality assurance to ensure that the survey adheres to global best practices. Reliable data is fundamental to effective policy and sustainable development,” he stated.

The scope of the collaboration under the MoU, will see the parties work together to: Assess energy access at household, community, enterprise, and public institution levels using the multi-tier framework as well as examine household energy affordability, expenditure patterns, and willingness to pay for grid and off-grid solutions.

Besides, it will analyse access to and usage of off-grid technologies, including solar home systems, mini-grids, and clean cooking solutions.

REA will serve as a key implementation and policy partner, providing sectoral expertise, stakeholder engagement, public awareness, and alignment with Nigeria’s rural electrification priorities, while the NBS will provide regulatory approval, sampling frames, methodological validation, technical supervision, and capacity building for enumerators, ensuring data quality and credibility.

The World Bank, through ESMAP, will fund and technically oversee the survey and engage a qualified survey firm responsible for field data collection, analysis, and reporting on the MoU which will remain in force for 18 months from the date of signing.

Also, data generated from the survey will support national energy planning, improve programme targeting, guide private sector investments, and strengthen Nigeria’s transition toward universal access to electricity and clean cooking solutions.

The partnership, according to the REA, reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration, improving the availability of reliable energy data, and advancing sustainable electrification across rural and underserved communities in Nigeria.

REA is the implementing agency of the federal government of Nigeria under the Federal Ministry of Power tasked with the electrification of unserved and underserved communities, to catalyse economic growth and improve quality of life for Nigerians.