Electrifying unserved and underserved communities’ goes far beyond the installation of solar infrastructure. It requires sustained engagement with project developers to ensure efficient operation and maintenance, as well as continuous interaction with beneficiary communities to measure real impacts on livelihoods, business growth, and social well-being. It is within this broader context of sustainability and accountability that the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), through the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), conducted a high-level site visit to the 1MW Interconnected Solar Hybrid Mini-Grid at Ibaragun Community, Ogun State.

On 28 January 2026, the REA-NEP team, led by the Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme, Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure, embarked on comprehensive assessment of the project site with the World Bank delegation led by Ms. Gallina A. Vincelette, Vice President for Operations, Policy, and Country Services.

The Head, Nigeria Electrification Programme, Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure walking World Bank Delegation round the 1MW interconnected solar mini-grid plant facilities.

The Ibaragun visit followed a series of high-level energy sector engagements held in Lagos a day earlier, where the World Bank convened government officials, private developers, financiers, and regulators to discuss how Nigeria can accelerate electricity access. The discussions focused on unlocking investment, removing financing barriers for mini-grid developers, and scaling renewable energy solutions under the Mission 300 and DARES frameworks. The field visit to Ibaragun was designed to connect these policy and financing conversations to real-world outcomes at the community level.

Mission 300 Roundtable Hosted by World Bank in Lagos Marriott Hotel

Assessing Performance, Sustainability, and Community Impact

The day-long visit featured key activities including detailed inspection of the power plant facilities, a courtesy visit to the palace of the Baale of Ibaragun Community, and extensive engagement with electricity consumers and productive users benefiting from the project. Through direct interaction with small business owners and other beneficiaries, the delegation received first-hand feedback on how reliable electricity supply has improved business operations, reduced energy costs, extended working hours, and enhanced overall quality of life within the community.

REA-NEP team and World Bank Delegation paid courtesy visit to the Chief of Ibaragun Community

REA Highlights Scale of National Impact

While welcoming the delegation, Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure underscored that the Ibaragun mini-grid is part of a much broader national electrification drive. He noted that over 200 mini-grids have been developed across Nigeria under the Nigeria Electrification Programme, which the 1 MW interconnected solar hybrid Mini grid in ibaragun is part off, currently delivering stable electricity to more than 7,000 connections. According to him, the project reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity through innovative public-private partnerships.

Aerial view of NEP IMW interconnected solar hybrid mini grid in Ibaragun Community, Ogun State

Technical Tour and Developer Engagement

Following the reception, representatives of the project developer, Darway Coast, led the World Bank and REA teams on a knowledge-driven technical tour of the facility. The tour covered critical components of the plant, including the solar panel arrays, energy storage systems, and other operational units.

The Head of Nigeria Electrification Programme, Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure sharing critical insight on the operation and maintenance of 1MW interconnected solar mini-grid to World Bank delegation.

World Bank Commends Collaboration and Developmental Impact

In her remarks, Ms. Gallina A.Vincelette commended the REA-NEP for their collaborative approach and the strategic deployment of the interconnected mini-grid to meet community needs. She expressed satisfaction with the visible socio-economic impact of the project, particularly after engaging directly with productive users and small and medium-scale enterprises powered by the mini-grid.

She further noted the planned expansion of the project under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) Project, emphasizing the World Bank’s continuing support for initiatives that drive inclusive growth, economic empowerment, and improved living standards through sustainable energy solutions.

REA-NEP and World Bank Delegation engage one of the beneficiaries of 1MW interconnected solar mini-grid on the economic and social impact of the plant.

Commitment to Expansion and Sustainability

In response to community requests for expansion of the mini-grid to neighboring areas and a review of electricity tariffs, the Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme, Mr Olufemi Akinyelure reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment, through REA, to extending electricity access to more unserved and hard-to-reach communities across Nigeria.

The World Bank–REA site visit to the Ibaragun 1MW Solar Hybrid Interconnected Mini-Grid stands as a strong testament to how sustainable electrification, when backed by strategic partnerships, effective oversight, and community engagement, can deliver far-reaching social and economic transformation.

As Nigeria continues its journey toward universal energy access, projects like Ibaragun reaffirm that electrification is not merely about power generation, but about empowering communities, stimulating local economies, and building a foundation for long-term development

Some of the productive users of 1MW Interconnected Mini-grid in Ibaragun community of Ogun State.