Power experts talk big, Nigeria still in the dark
A veteran power sector specialist with 45 years of experience has proposed targeting reliable electricity for Nigeria’s 36 state capitals plus Abuja within five years. The expert, who previously led the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and chaired multiple industry groups, characterized the country’s electrical problems as a wicked challenge resistant to simple fixes after two decades of privatization efforts beginning in 2005.
The proposal advocates concentrating resources on urban centers housing approximately 55 percent of the national population rather than pursuing nationwide coverage simultaneously. This city-focused strategy mirrors successful mobile telecommunications deployment patterns and could serve roughly 98 million residents by 2030. Success requires coordinated action among federal agencies, state administrations, generation companies, transmission networks and distribution operators. Essential elements include customer enumeration, prepaid metering systems, bilateral supply contracts, network upgrades and enhanced data tracking capabilities.
The specialist noted that electricity reforms from 2005 through 2023 established regulatory frameworks but fell short of delivering a consistent supply despite breaking up the former monopoly and introducing private operators. While acknowledging persistent challenges such as revenue shortfalls, metering gaps and technical losses, the author maintains that measurable progress becomes achievable when objectives focus on specific geographic zones with clear deadlines.
