REA, NBS Sign MoU to Strengthen National Energy Data through Multi-Tier Energy Survey

From right: Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director/CEO of REA, and Prince Adeyemi Adeniran (Left), the Statistician-General of the Federation/Chief Executive Officer of NBS after the MOU Signing between REA and NBS to Strengthen National Energy Data through Multi-Tier Energy Survey at the REA Corporate Headquarters, Abuja.

"The partnership 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."

As part of the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to reposition Nigeria's energy sector, towards ensuring sustainable development across all sectors, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The MoU between both organizations involved their collaboration on the conduct of a comprehensive National Energy Survey using the Multi-Tier Tracking Framework (MTF) in Nigeria.

The MoU, according to a statement  issued and signed by the management of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, 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 Abubakar Aliyu, and the Statistician-General of the Federation/Chief Executive Officer of NBS, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, in Abuja.

Dr. Abba Aliyu, while speaking during the signing event which took place at the Corporate Headquarters of the agency, noted that the partnership underscores 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.

In his address at the event, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation emphasized 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.

On the scope of the collaboration under the MoU, the Parties will work together to:

• Assess energy access at household, community, enterprise, and public institution levels using the Multi-Tier Framework;

• Examine household energy affordability, expenditure patterns, and willingness to pay for grid and off-grid solutions;

• Analyze access to and usage of off-grid technologies, including solar home systems, mini-grids, and clean cooking solutions.

The statement reveals that "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. 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 Duration and Impact of the agreement, "the MoU will remain in force for 18 months from the date of signing. 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 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." The statement concluded.