President Bola Tinubu has taken action by suspending the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad. Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesman, confirmed the suspension in a statement on Thursday, announcing the suspension of three executive directors of the agency as well.

“In the light of new findings unearthed during a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), President Bola Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension of the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, alongside three Executive Directors of the Agency, from office,” the statement read.

The suspended executive directors include Olaniyi Alaba Netufo — Executive Director, Corporate Services; Barka Sajou — Executive Director, Technical Services; and Sa’adatu Balgore — Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF).

“President Tinubu has ordered a wider investigation into the conduct of the aforementioned officials in a fraudulent misexpenditure amounting to over N1.2 billion over the past two years, some of which has already been recovered by anti-graft agencies.”

Following the suspension, Tinubu appointed five qualified Nigerians to serve in the agency’s new management team in an acting capacity.

The new appointees are Abba Abubakar Aliyu as Managing Director/CEO, Ayoade Gboyega as Executive Director of Corporate Services, Umar Abdullahi Umar as Executive Director of Technical Services, Doris Uboh as the Executive Director of Rural Electrification Fund (REF), and Olufemi Akinyelure as the Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project.

He urged the new appointees to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties. The President also reiterated his determination to prioritize the yearnings of Nigerians for good governance and qualitative service delivery above the narrow interests of individuals entrusted to provide critical services to the Nigerian people.