Abuja: The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has called for the full adoption of state-led rural electrification programmes to accelerate access to power and reduce heavy dependence on the federal grid. The society made the call in Abuja at its 29th October Lecture themed ‘Evaluating Nigeria’s Power Sector Reform 2005-2023: A Quantitative Analysis of Technical Performance and Regulatory Impact.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Tasiu Gidari-Wudil, former NSE President from 2022 to 2023, highlighted the opportunities presented by the 2023 Electricity Act for states to take control of their electricity needs. Emphasizing a decentralized model, he advocated for state rural electrification programmes across all 36 states and the FCT. Drawing parallels with the U.S., where states have public utilities commissions while a federal entity manages interstate businesses and large hydro plants, Gidari-Wudil suggested that even small villages could form cooperatives to generate electricity.
Gidari-Wudil identified a lack of electricity as a critical infrastructure challenge for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. Although reforms have brought some progress, such as private sector participation and increased installed capacity, Nigeria still struggles with reliable and affordable power. He cited issues like political interference in tariff setting, inadequate infrastructure, and financial unsustainability as persistent challenges.
Power failures result in annual losses of approximately $50 billion, affecting manufacturers and forcing industries to rely on diesel generators, thereby reducing competitiveness. Consumer satisfaction remains low, with over 50 percent of Nigerians feeling they have not directly benefited from reforms. While tariff reforms like the Service-Based Tariff have improved revenue, service delivery has not seen corresponding improvements due to weak monitoring.
Looking forward, Gidari-Wudil emphasized the need for context-specific solutions and urged for reforms to be adapted to local realities. He called for strengthened regulatory capacity, financial sustainability with transparent subsidies, and meaningful stakeholder engagement at the community level, stressing the importance of continued commitment to electricity reforms.
Dr. Kola Adesina, the Special Guest of Honour and Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, underscored the importance of private sector investment in the power sector. He emphasized the need for consistent policies, honored contracts, and an enabling environment for the sector to thrive. Represented by Godwin Emmanuel, Adesina stated that reforms should inspire investor confidence, encourage technological adoption, and ultimately serve the Nigerian people.
Adesina further stressed the need for stakeholders to deepen and accelerate reforms with technical precision, regulatory courage, and political will. He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future and the potential for collective efforts to ensure a reliable power supply.
Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, NSE President and Chairman-in-Council, highlighted the relevance of the lecture’s topic to national conversations on sustainable electricity supply, energy transition, and power sector efficiency. She described the October Lecture as a strategic platform for the NSE to articulate its position on critical national issues and showcase the expertise of its past presidents.
Oguntala concluded that the gathering brought together thought leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and engineering professionals for impactful dialogue on issues shaping Nigeria’s future. She reiterated the NSE’s commitment to promoting engineering excellence, upholding ethical standards, and contributing to nation-building.