Buhari Appoints Salihijo Ahmad as REA MD

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad as the managing director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

It would be recalled that on December 24, Minister of Power, Sale Mamman ordered the indefinite suspension of Damilola Ogunbiyi, former REA managing director.

The Minister also ordered an investigation into alleged infractions by the agency under Ogunbiyi.

Mamman said the move was to sanitise the activities of the agency and reposition it for better service delivery.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, Aaron Artimas, the minister’s spokesperson, said the new REA MD has acquired vast knowledge and planning experience in the power sector.

He said Ahmad is a renewable energy expert, who holds two masters degrees in development studies and project planning.

He also said the president appointed Olaniyi Netufo as REA’s executive director – south west.

Eddi Mietuade Smith was appointed as non-executive director for south-south.

The REA was established to increase electricity access to rural and underserved clusters across the country by developing off-grid electrification strategies.