Nigeria’s Power Sector Sees Significant Improvements, Over 40% of Citizens Enjoy 20 Hours of Electricity Daily
Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, has announced substantial progress in the country’s electricity supply, with over 40% of Nigerians now enjoying more than 20 hours of power daily. This comes as a result of the government’s efforts to increase generation, transmission, and distribution capacity across the nation.
In a statement on Sunday, Adelabu highlighted the Ministry of Power’s activities over the past year, stating that one of the key achievements was raising power generation to over 5,500 megawatts. This improvement marks a significant increase from the 4,000 megawatts available when he assumed office. According to Adelabu, the nation now has an installed capacity of more than 14,000 megawatts, thanks to new projects like the Zungeru hydroelectric power plant and capacity upgrades at existing power stations.
Major Infrastructure Projects Boost Supply
The Minister credited the improved power supply to several infrastructure upgrades, including the completion of the Zungeru hydroelectric plant and the implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative. These initiatives have been pivotal in ensuring reliable electricity for both residential and industrial users. The Ministry’s goal is to continue this upward trajectory and make further advancements before the year ends.
One of the key components of the government’s strategy was the signing of the Electricity Act in June 2023. This legislation decentralizes Nigeria’s power sector, enabling states and private companies to participate in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. The move has already attracted investments and improvements in infrastructure, allowing for better management of the grid and opening the doors for renewable energy projects.
Adelabu acknowledged that, when he took office, power supply was irregular, with most Nigerians struggling to get even 12 to 15 hours of electricity daily. Since then, the Ministry has worked to stabilize the grid, reduce blackouts, and ensure that more Nigerians have access to consistent power.
Bridging the Metering Gap
Despite these strides, Adelabu highlighted some challenges that remain, including the widespread lack of electricity meters. Currently, over 7 million Nigerians are still on estimated billing, a practice that has long been criticized for its inaccuracy and unfairness. Out of nearly 13 million electricity customers, only about 6 million have meters.
In response, the Presidential Metering Initiative was launched to address this issue. The initiative aims to install 10 million meters across the country over the next five years, with a target of installing at least 2 million meters annually. This effort will be supported by funding from both the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), which will help enhance transparency and billing accuracy in the electricity sector.
Adelabu emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that closing the metering gap will reduce the reliance on estimated billing and help improve customer satisfaction. The Minister assured that funding is already being secured and that the process of acquiring these meters would begin soon.
Future Plans and the Road Ahead
Looking forward, Adelabu stated that the Ministry of Power is working on a plan to develop a super grid, which will further enhance power supply reliability and address remaining challenges in the sector. The government remains committed to ensuring that the progress made so far will be sustained and expanded, particularly with a focus on renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which have so far seen limited adoption.
The Minister reiterated that achieving reliable electricity across the country is a top priority for the government, both to improve living standards and to foster economic growth. Industries and businesses will benefit significantly from consistent power, reducing their reliance on expensive diesel generators.
Social Media Reactions:
- @Power4Naija: “Finally, some good news! 40% of Nigerians getting 20 hours of power is a huge step in the right direction. Let’s keep pushing for 100%!”
- @solar_africa: “This progress in Nigeria’s power sector is great, but we need more focus on renewables like solar energy!”
- @nigeriapowerwatch: “The Zungeru hydroelectric plant is a game changer. Kudos to the government for making this happen!”
- @EcoWarriorNaija: “Love the emphasis on renewable energy and hydroelectric power. We need more of this for a sustainable future!”
- @TheTruthSeeker: “Over 5,500 MW of power generation is good, but can we get to 24-hour supply for everyone soon?”
- @consumer_rightsNG: “Estimated billing needs to go ASAP! 7 million Nigerians still without meters? That’s way too many.”
- @TechForGood: “The Presidential Metering Initiative is a positive move. We need accurate billing to fix the power sector.”
- @greenenergynaija: “Renewables are the future. Glad to hear the government is focusing on solar and wind energy now.”
- @FixTheGridNG: “Power generation has improved, but transmission and distribution still need a lot of work. Let’s get there!”
- @businessmind: “Reliable power means more business opportunities and less reliance on expensive generators. A win for Nigerian entrepreneurs!”
- @Energy4All: “Great to hear about the Zungeru plant, but we need more projects like this across the country.”
- @youth4changeNG: “Finally, more than 40% of Nigerians have over 20 hours of electricity. Let’s aim for 24/7 for everyone!”
- @RenewableEnergyNG: “The focus on renewable energy is crucial. Nigeria has so much potential for solar and wind power.”
- @urbanreporterNG: “Infrastructure upgrades like Zungeru are essential. We need more investments like this to boost power supply.”
Conclusion
Nigeria’s power sector is making notable progress, with over 40% of the population now enjoying more than 20 hours of electricity daily. Thanks to infrastructure improvements like the Zungeru hydroelectric power plant and policy changes such as the Electricity Act, the country is moving toward more reliable and sustainable energy supply. However, challenges like the metering gap remain, and the government is actively working on initiatives like the Presidential Metering Initiative to address them. With continued efforts, Nigeria’s power supply could see even more significant improvements in the near future.
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