NCC, REA Forge Alliance to Power Telecom Infrastructure with Renewable Energy

L–R: Barrister Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Engr. Abba Abubakar, Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA); Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); and Engr. Abdullahi Umar, Executive Director, Technical Services, REA, during the inauguration of the NCC–REA Collaboration Committee held in Abuja.

NCC, REA Forge Alliance to Power Telecom Infrastructure with Renewable Energy

By Gloria Sarauniya Usman

ABUJA, NIGERIA July, 2025 -

In a landmark move aimed at advancing digital and energy inclusion across Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have inaugurated a joint committee to facilitate the deployment of renewable energy solutions for powering telecom infrastructure nationwide.

This development was disclosed in a press release signed by Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Acting Head of Public Affairs, NCC.

The NCC–REA Collaboration Committee was formally inaugurated on Friday, 27th June 2025, at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja. The event was presided over by the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, and the Managing Director of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, with senior officials and committee members from both agencies in attendance.

Dr. Maida described the partnership as a strategic alignment of national priorities, emphasizing its importance in addressing the critical gaps in connectivity and reliable power supply, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

“Telecommunications infrastructure cannot thrive without sustainable energy,” Dr. Maida noted. “Likewise, renewable energy solutions benefit significantly from the increasing demand in digitally connected communities. This synergy creates a powerful foundation for inclusive development.”

He added that the collaboration extends beyond infrastructure, focusing on inclusion, reducing socio-economic disparities, and fostering shared prosperity.

“This initiative directly supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by ensuring that no community is left behind in Nigeria’s digital and energy transformation,” he remarked.

Dr. Maida charged members of the committee to pursue their mandate with innovation, clarity of vision, and a strong commitment to delivering measurable outcomes.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Aliyu, Managing Director of REA, expressed confidence in the transformative potential of the partnership, reaffirming REA’s dedication to working closely with NCC to bring sustainable development to remote and underserved communities.

The NCC–REA Collaboration Committee has been tasked with co-developing and implementing integrated solutions, including:

Deploying renewable energy to power telecom base stations;

Sharing geospatial data to enhance infrastructure planning and coverage;Aligning funding frameworks for efficient project scalability;Tracking socio-economic impact through defined performance indicators.

This inter-agency initiative is expected to serve as a model for collaborative governance, reinforcing Nigeria’s drive to achieve its National Broadband Plan and overarching sustainable development goals.