Energy experts bemoan lack of power supply for 82m Nigerians, even “if they have access, they cannot afford the cost”
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“We have one humongous national grid where you generate electricity. The one in Osogbo, we have now discovered, is too complex and inefficient. We should have small grids that are more efficient.
“The national grid, as it is configured today, is inefficient in solving our problems. It generates around 7,000 megawatts, but only about 4,000 megawatts of that gets to the consumers. It is completely unacceptable” – Austin Avuru, energy expert
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Energy experts have bemoaned the lack of electricity for Nigerians, saying 82 million citizens (41 per cent of Africa’s most populous nation) do not have access and steps need be taken to make power more accessible and affordable by everyone.
It comes on the heels of a survey by Comercio Partners H2 Macroeconomic Outlook which shows that more than 83 per cent of Nigerians are struggling more to afford food, housing, healthcare, and other life essentials this year compared with 2024.
AA Holdings and Platform Petroleum Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Austin Avuru and other energy experts spoke on the lack of power access at the Third edition of Diran Fawibe annual lecture series
This year’s lecture was themed. “Development of National Framework and Partnerships for Sustainable Energy Access and Security”, held at the University of Ibadan (UI).
It was organised by the Centre for Petroleum Energy, Economy and Law, CPEEL, and UI.
Avuru, the keynote speaker, said out of a population of 200 million, “82 million Nigerians do not have access to electricity. But if they have access, they would not be able to afford what is charged. If you have that 20-watt yellow bulb in your rooms, you can’t pay.
“When we talk about energy access, we must also be able to talk about affordability. Energy must be available and accessible before we talk about security.”
Getting the message across to policymakers
On how recommendations at the lecture would get the attention of leaders for policy implementation, Avuru said: “Not just on this topic of energy security. On every issue at all, it will have an impact on the economy. The first thing is that we must keep on discussing.
“It’s not the case that if the people who are policymakers are not sitting in the hall, we should not talk. No, knowledge must first be disseminated by those who have it and ultimately, that knowledge will go round, including to those who are in the position of policy making. It could form part of policies tomorrow.”
Unbundling energy transmission sector for more efficiency
“We have one humongous national grid where you generate electricity. The one in Osogbo, we have now discovered, is too complex and inefficient. We should have small grids that are more efficient.
“The national grid, as it is configured today, is inefficient in solving our problems. It generates around 7,000 megawatts, but only about 4,000 megawatts of that gets to the consumers. It is completely unacceptable.”
Diran Fawibe, International Energy Services Chairman, gave an assurance that measures will be taken to ensure the recommendations at the lecture get to policymakers.
“The proceedings of this engagement will be carefully put together and sent to them because if there’s no follow up action on these proceedings, if they are not aware of what notable Nigerians and people who have intellectual capacity and professional experience have said about the problem of energy poverty in Nigeria, then the exercise would be in vain.
“The alarming rate of the consequences of energy poverty is very clear,” he reiterated.
Rahamon Bello, Professor – Nigerian Academy of Engineering President and former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos – who chaired the lecture, said its theme was apt and timely to “providing various options for energy transition in Nigeria with petroleum still being the largest revenue base for the nation.”
Read also:
Survey shows 83% Nigerians struggle for food, other life essentials, as living standards deteriorate
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