News
Prof Nnaji Suggests Immediate Steps to Stabilize Power Sector
Against the background of Nigeria’s deteriorating electric power crisis, a leading Nigerian energy expert, Professor Bart Nnaji, has outlined a number of measures he says the country has to take immediately to arrest the situation.
Delivering the 30th, 31st and 32nd graduation lecture of the Abia State University at Uturu today, Professor Nnaji, a former Minister of Power, outlined the steps as the restoration of the power purchase agreements (PPAs) between electricity firms and the Federal Government which the President Muhammadu Buhari administration suspended, the payment of the N6.8trillion owed the power generation firms and the over N200 billion owed distribution companies, and allowing DisCos to charge cost-reflective tariffs.
Others are building a national super grid of 765KV and decentralizing its operations so that a fault in one networked plant, for instance, would not cause a national blackout, and the development of Nigeria’s 210 trillion cubic foot of natural gas since 75% of the nation’s electricity is thermal.
Professor Nnaji, also a former Minister of Science and Technology who now leads the Geometric Power that drives the Aba Integrated Power Project (Aba IPP), also advocated that DisCos be encouraged to have embedded generation firms, greater official attention to DisCos which he said have been neglected more than other segments of the electricity value chain, and a review of the coverage areas by each distribution firm to make them more agile.
Drawing examples from India, China, Brazil, Egypt, and the United States, Nnaji noted that practically “each industrializing nation adds to the stock of its quantum of electricity every year”, contrasting it with Nigeria that “has not built a new power plant in the last 12 years except the 451MW Azura-Edo Power Plant in Edo State and the 188MW Geometric Power Plant in Aba, Abia State”.
The former minister, who had a storied career in the United States as a world-class scientist and research engineer, argued that people would not invest in new power plants without a financial instrument like the World Bank-backed Partial risk guarantee (PRG) to provide investors comfort.
“This is because it is exceedingly expensive to invest in power generation”, he told the university community that interrupted his speech intermittently with applause.
“It costs about $1.3m to construct one megawatt gas-fired plant, which is the cheapest in the country, as solar, wind, and hydroelectric technologies cost more”.
He added that investors would like to know how they could recoup their heavy and long-term investments, and the PGR is about the only realistic instrument to provide comfort to them.
He challenged the notion that investors would like to sign such PRGs with state governments following the implementation of the 2023 Electricity Act that permits subnational entities to regulate power generation, transmission, and distribution in their domains.
The state governments have limited financial capabilities, he explained.
Prof Nnaji pointed out that even if the federal authorities reversed the suspension of the PPAs today and work commenced immediately on the construction of a new plant, it would take at least three years to complete it, meaning that Nigeria would be one of the few countries in the world that would not expand its quantum of electricity in over 15 years.
Commending the Federal Government for setting up a 19-man committee headed by the President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff to, among other things, accelerate the recovery of some stranded 1,600MW within two years, the Geometric Power chairman remarked that Nigeria needs 100,000MW to become a higher-medium economy by 2040, referring to the 30,000MW suggested by the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) by 2030 as unrealistic.
He said an electricity-hungry nation like the United States would do everything possible to increase its electricity by all means, including reembracing coal-fired plants in the face of power demand unleashed by generative AI data centres, comparing it to the return of coal plants by European countries in the wake of the energy crisis occasioned by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 that forced the European Union to impose sanctions on Moscow.
Nnaji lauded the Federal Government for returning to the 765KV Super Grid he convinced the Goodluck Jonathan administration to approve in 2012 but was abandoned after he resigned the same year over the manner of the privatization of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) assets.
He advocated its regionalization in technical terms rather than in the geopolitical sense, so that “a fault in one remote part of Nigeria would not lead to a nationwide outage, as is the case currently”.
The energy expert said that though his firm does not benefit from Federal Government’s subsidy payments to power firms, he “strongly supports the payment so that the power sector won’t collapse”.
He referred to the DisCos in Ibadan, Benin, and Yola as examples of power distributors covering unwieldy geographical areas, calling for their review.
He said, in contrast, Aba Power covers only nine of the 17 local government areas in Abia State which he said enabled it the utility to operate in an agile manner.
Among the distinguished guests at the lecture who commended Professor Nnaji for the lecture which they described as a tour de force are the Chairman of the Abia State University Governing Council, the Hon Agwu A. Agwu, the ABSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Ndukwe J. OKeudo, and the Special Adviser to Abia State governor on Tertiary Education, Dr Emeka Enyeazu.
OSOGBO — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the outcome of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that it is not convinced that Governor Ademola Adeleke secured the highest number of valid votes.
INEC on Sunday declared Adeleke the winner after the Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwale, announced the final results at the commission’s headquarters in Osogbo.
Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dr Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
However, the APC said it would not accept the declaration without conducting a comprehensive review of the electoral process.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on Monday, the Director-General of the APC campaign for the Osun governorship election, Hon. Oluwole Oke, said the party had commenced an audit of the results and electoral materials from the poll.
Oke said the party had directed its agents across the state to submit relevant result sheets for scrutiny as it investigates alleged infractions.
“We need to do the needful which is to evaluate the process, review the process and then form an opinion. We’ve embarked on an audit process; we’ve asked all our party agents to submit copies of Form EC8A, B, C to our secretariat for review. We need to inspect all the materials because we do not agree with the declaration of INEC, and that’s our position for now,” he said.
The APC campaign chief also dismissed suggestions that the party was under pressure to immediately accept the outcome following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s congratulatory message to Adeleke.
Tinubu had congratulated Adeleke after the declaration, describing the outcome as a reflection of the will of the people.
Reacting to the President’s position, Oke said Tinubu spoke in his capacity as President and a democrat following INEC’s declaration.
“Mr. President spoke as the Father of the nation and a democrat following the declaration by INEC,” he said.
Oke, however, maintained that the APC would rely on its own assessment of the election after completing its review.
“We’re on ground and politics is local and, like I’ve told you, what we’re doing is to conduct a thorough review of the entire process and form an opinion,” he said.
He added that the party would not be rushed into congratulating Adeleke, insisting that its preliminary position was that the governor did not secure the highest number of valid votes.
“We won’t be under any subtle pressure to easily reach out to congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke because we believe he didn’t score the highest valid votes,” Oke said.
The APC is expected to determine its next course of action after completing its audit and reviewing the electoral materials and results submitted by its agents.
ABAKALIKI — The 2027 governorship race in Ebonyi State is gathering momentum, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Odii, unveiling a package of reforms aimed at improving the welfare of workers, teachers and retirees.
Odii made the commitments during a meeting with representatives of Ebonyi civil servants and members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) at his Lagos residence, where he outlined his plans for a comprehensive reform of the state’s public service.
A major component of his agenda is a workers’ housing scheme designed to provide 1,000 housing units within his first year in office and up to 5,000 units over four years if elected governor.
Odii said the housing programme would be structured to minimise dependence on direct government funding, with workers’ contributions and existing pension assets forming part of the financing framework.
He said the initiative would address the housing difficulties faced by workers and retirees, particularly retirees who often struggle to sustain rented accommodation after leaving government service.
The PDP candidate also proposed a paperless digital loan platform that would allow workers to access loans against their contributory pension savings without the bureaucratic delays associated with the existing system.
On retirement benefits, Odii pledged that workers would have access to their entitlements immediately upon retirement, arguing that retirees should not endure prolonged delays in receiving benefits accrued during their years of service.
He further promised to reform the promotion process through computer-based promotion examinations capable of producing results instantly.
According to him, the digital system would reduce delays, curb opportunities for manipulation and promote greater transparency and fairness in the career progression of civil servants.
Odii said the proposed reforms were aimed at creating a public service where workers would have improved access to housing, credit facilities and timely retirement benefits, while ensuring a more transparent promotion system.
He presented the proposals as part of his broader agenda to improve workers’ welfare and reposition the Ebonyi State civil service for greater efficiency if elected governor in 2027.
The MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has confirmed the death of one of its operations staff in an electrical accident.
The Head of Communications, MEDL, Mr Emeka Ezeh, who confirmed the incident in Enugu on Monday, said that the incident occured on Aug. 13 at Eke in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Ezeh said that the incident, which occurred at about 1p.m., involved Mr. Samson Okechi, the Team Lead, Abor, attached to the company’s 9th Mile District.
He said, “Okechi was carrying out maintenance work on a 50kVA/11kV pole-mounted distribution substation at Eke when he sustained an electric shock.
“Okechi was immediately evacuated to Our Saviour Hospital, Ngwo, for medical attention but was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty. His remains were subsequently deposited at a mortuary.”
He said that the incident was formally reported at the Ngwo Police Station for documentation and other necessary statutory actions.
Ezeh also debunked claims circulating on some social media platforms that Okechi was murdered or that the incident was the result of sabotage.
“I wonder why some people take pleasure in conjuring unfounded narratives and circulating them, thereby creating unnecessary tension and bad blood. This is so unfair,” he said.
He urged members of the public to disregard the claims, describing them as baseless.
According to him, Okechi had requested a Station Guarantee (SG) for the Okwe 11kV Feeder, which was granted at about 11:06 a.m. at the 9th Mile Injection Substation. The feeder was subsequently opened and tagged.
“This is a very unfortunate development and a big shock to all of us, his colleagues. Our hearts go out to his immediate family as they grieve,” Ezeh said.
The MEDL spokesman disclosed that MainPower management had commenced a comprehensive investigation to establish the immediate, underlying and root causes of the accident.
He said, “We are committed to ensuring that the investigation is thorough and evidence-based.
“The findings will be used to identify any gaps, determine appropriate corrective measures, and strengthen safety procedures and operational controls where necessary.”
Ezeh MEDL assured its customers and stakeholders that safety remained a paramount priority in its operations, adding that appropriate measures would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
Idiaye, a third-term lawmaker, takes over from Blessing Agbebaku, who resigned as Speaker on Monday amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
The emergence of Idiaye was said to have been influenced by the gentleman’s zoning arrangement in the Assembly, which provides that when the governor is from the Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.
Idiaye, being the oldest member from the Edo North Senatorial District, was subsequently elected Speaker.
Without the zoning arrangement, the Deputy Speaker would have automatically succeeded Agbebaku, according to the new Speaker.
Members of the Assembly were at the Government House to inform Governor Monday Okpebholo of the change in leadership.
Agbebaku was said to have resigned early on Monday following alleged moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
Reports gathered that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed a notice of impeachment on Sunday night, a development that may have prompted his resignation.
Agbebaku’s resignation was confirmed by Ebojele, who said details of the development would be made public later.
She said, “I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later.”
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has resigned from his position.
Agbebaku stepped down on Monday amid moves by some lawmakers to impeach him.
His resignation was confirmed on Facebook by his media aide, Ivy Adodo-Ebojele, who said further details on the circumstances surrounding his exit would be made public later.
“EDO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RT HON CHIEF BLESSING AGBEBAKU RESIGNS,” she wrote.
The development has thrown the Edo State House of Assembly into a fresh leadership crisis, with lawmakers expected to determine a new Speaker.
Details shortly…
-
News5 days ago15 Dead, 200 Buildings at Risk as Sand Mining Ravages Anambra Community
-
Foreign5 days agoFamily Seeks Help to Locate Enugu Man in Dallas After Viral Social Media Post
-
News5 days agoAnambra NDC Crisis Deepens As 2 Contending Aspirants Lose Assembly Ticket
-
Health4 days agoPeter Obi, Chinyeaka Ohaa Visit Parklane Hospital in Solidarity With Kidney Patients
-
Crime4 days agoEnugu: Police arrest 14 kidnap suspects, recover cache of arms, ammunition
-
News4 days agoMainPower calls for partnership, support to improve electricity service delivery
-
Crime2 days agoArmy Destroys Three Suspected IPOB/ESN Camps, Kills Three in Anambra
-
Business5 days agoPatience Jonathan Hails Azikel Boss Eruani as ‘Small Boy’ She Mentored Into Billionaire League