The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasized the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to enhance the reliability of Nigeria’s national power grid.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Power Engineering Exhibition and Conference in Abuja, Hon. Abbas reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to advancing the nation’s energy infrastructure, particularly through renewable energy.
Addressing attendees, Hon. Abbas, represented by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Rep. August Gana, highlighted the challenges faced by the Nigerian power sector. He acknowledged the sector’s progression through privatization and structural changes over the years, including the shift from the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
In his words; “Over the years, the sector has undergone several reforms and privatisations aimed at improving efficiency and reliability. Despite these efforts, the sector continues to face numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, transmission and distribution losses, amid insufficient generation and distribution capacities.
“The transition from National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), while marked with optimism, was also met with skepticism, leading to the comical phrase “Problem Has Changed Names.” Yet, despite these challenges, we have seen remarkable progress, especially through the privatisation of the sector with succession generation companies (GenCos) and distribution companies (DisCos). This shift has opened the door to more participants and anticipated investment, providing us with an opportunity to redefine the future of power in Nigeria”.
Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, also addressed the audience, drawing attention to the sector’s ongoing struggles.
“Currently, our nation generates approximately 4,500 MW for a population exceeding 200 million, leaving about half of our citizens without reliable electricity access,” he said.
Engr. Israel Abraham, President of the Chartered Institute of Power Engineers of Nigeria (CIPEN), also spoke on the critical need for efficient power management, noting that robust and accessible power is essential for economic development.
He stressed that the conference aims to create a platform where global and Nigerian power industry leaders can collaborate and exchange ideas on smarter energy solutions.
