The United Nations has recognised Nigeria’s rural electrification programme as a successful example of expanding access to affordable electricity through targeted subsidies and private-sector investment.

The recognition is contained in the World Social Report 2026, released by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, which highlights Nigeria’s Electrification Project as a model for improving energy access among underserved communities.

Citing earlier World Bank data, the report said the programme supported the establishment of 125 mini-grids and the sale of more than one million solar home systems.

According to the UN, the interventions provided electricity access to more than five million Nigerians and supported the creation of over 5,000 green jobs.

The report described Nigeria’s use of subsidies for rural mini-grids as a successful policy approach that combines affordable electricity with private-sector participation.

It explained that targeted financial support could reduce electricity costs for poorer households while encouraging private investment in communities with limited access to power.

The UN also identified Nigeria and Ghana as pioneers in integrating solar panels into agricultural land, an approach that allows farmers to generate electricity while continuing food production on the same land.

According to the report, combining renewable energy with agriculture could strengthen food security, improve water management and expand economic opportunities in rural communities.

The report also assessed Nigeria’s performance under a new framework measuring economic transformation alongside social inclusion.

Nigeria recorded a transformation score of 44.30 and an inclusiveness score of 56.36, producing a combined index score of 100.67.

The assessment formed part of a comparative analysis of 168 countries, examining economic, digital, energy and social development between 2000 and 2024.

The UN stressed that economic growth and technological progress did not automatically guarantee that vulnerable populations would benefit from development, underscoring the need for policies that promote both economic transformation and social inclusion.