President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cautioned Nigerians against expecting an immediate fix to the country’s electricity challenges, citing the outdated state of power infrastructure as a major obstacle.
Speaking during the visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Tinubu acknowledged the frustrations of citizens but stressed that ongoing reforms aim to lay a sustainable foundation for the future.
“There are no magical responses to these issues,” the President said, adding, “Nigeria, being a nation in a hurry, wants a magical response. But don’t forget, those transmission lines are about 50 to 60 years old.”
Decentralization of Power
The President revealed that his administration has implemented reforms to decentralize power generation and distribution. He explained that states and subnational entities can now independently generate and distribute electricity.
He said, “We are working to improve and reduce the snags in the system. This includes decentralizing power. States and various subsectors can now generate their power and distribute it.”
Highlighting opportunities in renewable energy, Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s abundant sunshine and underutilized dams could be leveraged for rural electrification.
“We have the sun; they have the technology. Together, we can utilize this for rural electrification. We also intend to put our various dams to use for the benefit of our people,” he said.
German Collaboration in Focus
The visit by Germany’s President emphasized the bilateral partnership between the two nations, especially in energy and industrial development. Tinubu highlighted Germany’s role in supporting alternative energy sources and technical solutions.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s potential in youth development and solid minerals, urging German businesses to invest in these areas. “We have a brilliant youth population, a market-friendly environment, and industrial plans anxious to establish assembly plants,” Tinubu said.
Minister Adelabu Promises Additional Power Capacity
Adding to Tinubu’s remarks, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu disclosed plans to boost Nigeria’s power supply by an additional 150 megawatts before January 2025.
Speaking after the bilateral meeting, Adelabu outlined the government’s roadmap for electricity stability. He linked the improvements to the ongoing Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), a collaboration with Siemens Energy.
Siemens Project Shows Progress
According to Adelabu, the pilot phase of the Siemens project, involving the importation and installation of 10 power transformers and mobile substations, has already been 80% completed.
“The positive impact of this is that it has added 750 megawatts to our transmission grid capacity. By the end of the year, another 150 megawatts will be added,” the Minister stated.
He expressed confidence in the project’s ability to rehabilitate existing infrastructure while establishing new substations. “When we complete Phase One, the grid will not remain the same. This is an old, fragile, and dilapidated grid that needs total revamping,” he added.
Energy Transition and Renewables
The Minister also emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to renewable energy as part of its energy transition plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. He pointed to the country’s abundant solar and wind resources as critical assets.
“We must collaborate with countries like Germany, which have the technology. Over 30 states in Nigeria enjoy a minimum of 10 hours of sunshine daily,” Adelabu explained.
The Minister also highlighted the potential for offshore wind energy along Nigeria’s coastline, especially with the development of the Lagos-Calabar highway.
Off-Grid Solutions and State-Based Generation
Adelabu further stressed the importance of decentralizing the national grid. He proposed off-grid systems where each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) could operate their generating plants.
“These networks will be embedded within the states and shielded from national grid problems,” he said. “When there’s an issue with the grid, states will have backups.”
