The Federal Government of Nigeria is preparing to unveil a new strategic plan aimed at boosting the country’s power generation and phasing out the widespread use of power generators in homes and offices across the nation.
The announcement was made by Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Power on Strategic Communications and Media Relations. Tunji confirmed that the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for the power sector would be officially presented today (Thursday) in Abuja. The plan, which is designed to reshape Nigeria’s electricity landscape, has been developed with the support of the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and the UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility.
The unveiling of the Integrated Resource Plan is a major step in Nigeria’s journey toward addressing its chronic power shortages. According to Tunji, the IRP will serve as a roadmap to end the reliance on generators by millions of Nigerian homes and businesses.
“The Integrated Resource Plan will guide the power sector towards universal electrification, inclusivity, and sustainability, with the goal of phasing out self-generation practices,” Tunji said. “The plan is focused on ensuring that Nigerians will no longer need to depend on generators for their electricity needs.”
The government’s efforts to phase out the use of power generators reflect its broader commitment to improving the country’s power infrastructure. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, will deliver the keynote address at the event. Adelabu will outline the government’s strategic vision for Nigeria’s energy future, which aims to create a more stable and sustainable power sector.
A major feature of the event will be a stakeholder engagement session, which will bring together the private sector, government officials, and other key players to explore opportunities for investment and collaboration in the power sector. Tunji highlighted that the success of the IRP depends on private sector involvement and the participation of all relevant stakeholders.
“This is not just a government initiative. We want the private sector to play an active role in the transformation of Nigeria’s electricity system,” he explained. “By working together, we can make Nigeria’s energy future more sustainable, efficient, and reliable.”
The presentation of the IRP comes at a critical time for Nigeria. Despite having a population of over 200 million, the country struggles with one of the lowest electricity generation rates in the world. Currently, Nigeria’s power generation capacity is a mere 5.5 megawatts, a figure that is insufficient to meet the needs of its growing population. This has resulted in frequent blackouts and power outages that affect homes, businesses, and industries across the country.
However, the unveiling of the Integrated Resource Plan is being seen as a step in the right direction. The plan seeks to address not only the immediate challenges of electricity generation but also the long-term goal of achieving sustainable power supply across the country. The IRP is designed to ensure that Nigeria’s power sector aligns with the country’s energy transition goals, which aim to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote renewable energy sources.
The Integrated Resource Plan will focus on achieving least-cost electrification, which means finding the most cost-effective ways to increase power generation without compromising quality or sustainability. The plan will also aim to integrate renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, into the national grid to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on traditional fossil fuel-based generation.
