โข๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ง๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐
โข๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐๐๐น๐น ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐
By Olayiwola Rasheed Emmanuel
The Renewed Hope Ambassador Coordinator for Agege Federal Constituency, High Chief (Alh) Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi (JP), has said that ongoing reforms in Nigeriaโs electricity sector remain the most viable pathway to resolving the countryโs long-standing electricity crisis.
Egunjobi particularly commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for initiating structural reforms in the power sector, including the removal of electricity from the Exclusive Legislative List, which now allows states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity independently within their territories.
According to him, the reform represents a bold step toward decentralising electricity development and unlocking new opportunities for investment, innovation and improved power supply across the Country.
โPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves commendation for taking decisive action to address the long-standing structural problems in Nigeriaโs electricity sector by empowering states to actively participate in electricity generation and distribution,โ he said.
Egunjobi noted that the reform has already begun to yield practical results in some States, particularly Lagos State, where the government has taken concrete legislative and executive steps to strengthen electricity supply.
He commended the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, for passing the Lagos State Electricity Bill, describing it as a visionary legislative intervention designed to reposition the stateโs power sector for long-term growth.
The law, which was subsequently signed by Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, establishes a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for the creation of a Lagos Electricity Market and enables the state to independently regulate electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply within its jurisdiction.
The legislation also repealed the Lagos Electric Power Sector Reform Law of 2018 and introduced new structures to strengthen electricity governance and attract investment into the sector.
Under the new law, Lagos State is empowered to establish its own electricity regulatory institutions, promote diverse energy sources including renewable energy, and encourage private sector participation in electricity infrastructure development.
Egunjobi noted that the law also created the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission, which will oversee electricity activities within the state and ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in the electricity market.
He further praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for taking swift steps to implement the law, including the inauguration of the regulatory commission and the development of strategic frameworks aimed at improving electricity access and supporting the stateโs vision for a 24-hour economy.
According to him, the collaborative efforts between the executive and legislative arms of government in Lagos State demonstrate the practical benefits of decentralising electricity governance.
Egunjobi said the Lagos example clearly shows how proactive leadership at the State level can accelerate power sector development and attract significant private sector investment.
He therefore urged other Governors across the federation to emulate the Lagos model by developing similar legal and institutional frameworks capable of addressing electricity challenges within their states.
โLagos State has demonstrated how states can take advantage of the opportunity created by the Federal Governmentโs reforms. Other governors across the federation should emulate this example by developing strategic electricity initiatives tailored to their respective comparative advantages,โ he said.
The Renewed Hope Ambassador Coordinator noted that States with abundant sunshine can invest heavily in solar power projects, while those with natural gas resources can prioritise gas-fired electricity generation.
He added that States with hydropower potential and other renewable resources should also explore sustainable energy solutions capable of meeting their local electricity demands.
Egunjobi explained that Nigeria currently has about 15,000 megawatts of installed electricity generation capacity, yet the country transmits only about 5,000 to 6,000 megawatts, leaving nearly 10,000 megawatts of potential electricity generation idle due to limitations within transmission and distribution infrastructure.
He noted that Nigeria transmits an estimated 128,000 megawatt-hours of electricity daily, while the average cost of generating, transmitting and distributing electricity stands at about โฆ208 per kilowatt-hour.
According to him, Nigerians consume electricity valued at approximately โฆ27 billion daily, translating to nearly โฆ900 billion monthly and about โฆ10 trillion annually.
However, he lamented that more than 35 percent of electricity transmitted across the country does not reach consumers, largely due to electricity theft, transmission losses, meter bypass and revenue leakages within the distribution system.
Egunjobi added that electricity distribution companies recover only about โฆ2.5 trillion annually, leaving nearly โฆ7 trillion worth of electricity unaccounted for every year, while the Federal Government continues to absorb more than โฆ3 trillion annually in electricity subsidy.
He identified cost-reflective tariffs, expansion of transmission infrastructure, reliable gas supply and the upgrade of distribution networks as the four key challenges confronting Nigeriaโs electricity sector.
Egunjobi also urged the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, to intensify public engagement by providing detailed and regular explanations about reforms being implemented in the electricity sector.
โThe silence around many of the complexities of the power sector can sometimes be deafening. Nigerians deserve consistent information and proper explanations about the reforms being undertaken,โ he said.
He further called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to strengthen its public enlightenment campaigns by consistently educating citizens about government policies and reforms.
According to him, well-informed citizens will be better positioned to understand the reforms and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Egunjobi also advised Nigerians not to direct misplaced criticism toward the Federal Government alone regarding electricity supply challenges.
โWith electricity now removed from the Exclusive Legislative List, state governments now have greater responsibility to develop power solutions within their jurisdictions,โ he said.
He expressed confidence that with sustained reforms, improved policy coordination and stronger collaboration between Federal and State governments, Nigeriaโs electricity sector can gradually overcome its long-standing challenges and support long-term economic growth.
