The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) has accused All On, an energy impact investment company established by Shell, of contributing to delays in the release of a $94,400 World Bank-funded electrification grant meant to support its solar mini-grid project in Umuolu Community, Delta State.
The organisation, under the YEAC Group of Organisations (YGOs), said the Performance-Based Grant (PBG), approved under the World Bank-funded Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, had remained inaccessible for more than four months after it became due in May 2026.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 12, YGOs attributed the delay to what it described as a contractual dispute between All On and NXT Grid, the solar developer engaged to construct and install the mini-grid infrastructure.
The group said the funds were reportedly received by NXT Grid Nigeria Limited into its Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) account for onward disbursement to YEAC but became inaccessible after the account was allegedly frozen.
Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said the organisation had become a casualty of a dispute to which it was not a party.
He said the continued delay was undermining the group’s renewable energy initiatives and efforts to expand electricity access in underserved communities in the Niger Delta.
According to him, YEAC was informed on May 18, 2026, that NXT Grid’s account holding the funds had been frozen, allegedly in connection with its dispute with All On.
This followed a May 8 press release by NXT Grid announcing that it had completed the first milestone of the DARES Performance-Based Grant cycle for three mini-grid projects, including the one in Umuolu.
YGOs said the solar mini-grid, officially commissioned on August 12, 2024, was established to provide clean and reliable electricity to the community while supporting alternative livelihoods and reducing dependence on illegal activities associated with environmental degradation.
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Umuolu was reportedly among the first three projects selected for funding under the DARES programme and the first village in its area to gain access to clean energy.
Fyneface explained that the initiative began on November 25, 2019, following his abduction by artisanal refiners who claimed they had been displaced by security operations against illegal refining.
He said the experience inspired him to develop a community electrification initiative aimed at creating alternative livelihood opportunities and employment while addressing pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refining, environmental pollution and kidnapping in the Niger Delta.
Also expressing concern, YEAC-UK Director, Ms Helena Farstad, said the delayed grant was intended to support livelihoods, create jobs and provide clean energy alternatives to environmentally harmful activities.
She warned that the continued withholding of the funds could undermine the objectives of the World Bank and the Federal Government’s electrification efforts, while discouraging future international investment in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.
Farstad disclosed that she had contacted All On’s leadership to seek clarification and explain the impact of the situation on communities in Nigeria.
The group also said it had notified the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the World Bank, requesting their intervention to resolve the matter.
From the United States, YEAC-USA Director, Mr Cornelius J.S. Dumerenee, said the prolonged non-disbursement of the grant could send a negative signal to international donors and members of the diaspora interested in supporting electrification and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
YGOs stressed that it was not involved in the dispute between All On and NXT Grid and said it did not know the details of the disagreement.
The organisation called on the World Bank, REA, Shell Nigeria, Shell International and other relevant stakeholders to engage All On’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Caroline Eboumbou, to facilitate the immediate release of the $94,400 grant.
It said the funds were essential to sustaining its renewable energy operations and expanding access to electricity in underserved Niger Delta communities.
