JUST IN: Tinubu Suspends Rural Electrification Agency CEO, Executives

President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, along with three Executive Directors, following revelations from a thorough investigation into the agency’s financial activities.

Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale confirmed the suspensions in a statement on Thursday, citing new findings from the comprehensive financial probe. The suspended officials are Olaniyi Alaba Netufo (Executive Director, Corporate Services), Barka Sajou (Executive Director, Technical Services), and Sa’adatu Balgore (Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund).

The statement outlined President Tinubu’s directive for a broader investigation into the alleged fraudulent misexpenditure, totaling over N1.2 billion over the past two years. Notably, some of the misappropriated funds have already been recovered by anti-graft agencies.

In response to the suspensions, President Tinubu appointed five qualified Nigerians to act in the agency’s new management team. Abba Abubakar Aliyu takes the helm as Managing Director/CEO, with 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 for the Nigeria Electrification Project.

The President emphasized the importance of upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the discharge of duties. He reiterated his commitment to prioritizing the aspirations of Nigerians for good governance and qualitative service delivery over individual interests entrusted with critical services to the nation.