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.
The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu, , has offered prayers for , praying for God’s favour, protection, and victory as the state approaches the coming elections.
Speaking during a church gathering, Mbaka declared that Governor Mbah would succeed, expressing confidence that God, whom he said had begun a great work through the governor, would bring it to completion.
“It shall be well with Peter Mbah; may the favour of God be with him. We back him with our prayers. The Adoration family throws our prayers around him, that he will succeed, in the name of Jesus. May God grant him the power of victory at the end of the whole election,” Mbaka said.
The cleric further expressed hope that Mbah’s leadership would bring joy to the Igbo people, the people of Enugu State, and the Church, adding that the Igbo economy could witness greater advancement under his administration.
According to Mbaka, the progress recorded so far gives hope that greater achievements lie ahead, stressing that God would perfect the work already begun.
His remarks come as political activities continue to gather momentum ahead of the forthcoming elections.
ENUGU — Governor Peter Mbah has directed the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (ESEMA) to provide immediate relief materials and other palliative support to two families displaced by the fire that razed a two-storey building at No. 22 Church Road, Asata, Enugu, on Saturday.
The governor’s directive followed reports by Everydaynewsngr that the inferno destroyed two flats and consumed household property, valuables, and important documents belonging to the affected families, leaving them homeless.
The General Manager of ESEMA is expected to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate the distribution of emergency relief items to ease the hardship faced by the victims while further interventions are considered.
Residents of the area welcomed the governor’s swift response, describing it as a demonstration of compassion and responsible leadership at a difficult time for the affected families.
One of the victims, an employee of a higher institution in Enugu State who is said to be approaching retirement, had lamented that the fire wiped out decades of savings and destroyed all his household belongings, including vital documents and certificates.
No lives were lost in the incident, while the cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the outbreak as affected families begin the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.
The state government urged residents to remain safety conscious and report fire emergencies promptly to relevant agencies to minimise damage and loss of property.
By Our Reporter
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s real estate industry, alongside Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, have called for urgent reforms to strengthen professionalism, transparency, and investor confidence in the sector.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued on Monday in Enugu following the company’s 2026 Mid-Year Seminar/Luncheon, held on Friday, July 3, at Wendy’s Place. The seminar, themed “Next-Level Real Estate Practices,” brought together real estate developers, chief executive officers, realtors, marketers, investors, and other stakeholders from the South-East to examine emerging industry trends, challenges, and practical strategies for sustainable growth.
According to the communiqué, participants unanimously adopted several resolutions after extensive deliberations.
Among the key resolutions was a call for stronger government action against the multiple sale of land. Participants urged the Federal, State, and Local Governments to strengthen land administration policies and impose stringent sanctions on communities and individuals involved in the fraudulent sale of the same parcel of land to multiple buyers.
They noted that such practices continue to erode investor confidence, fuel land-related litigation, and discourage genuine investment in the real estate sector.
The stakeholders also stressed the need to promote professionalism and healthy competition within the industry. They maintained that competition should be driven by integrity, innovation, quality service delivery, and professionalism rather than unhealthy rivalry, misinformation, or actions capable of damaging the reputation of fellow practitioners.
They further encouraged industry leaders to embrace collaboration as a means of promoting collective growth and enhancing public confidence in the sector.
The communiqué also emphasised the importance of honesty and transparency in dealings with clients. Participants urged real estate practitioners to refrain from making false claims, exaggerating property values, misrepresenting estate locations or approvals, or giving unrealistic assurances merely to secure transactions.
They insisted that prospective buyers should be provided with accurate, verifiable, and complete information before making investment decisions.
On service delivery, the seminar called on real estate developers and chief executives to establish effective internal controls to eliminate the overselling or double allocation of plots. Developers were also urged to ensure prompt allocation of purchased lands and timely issuance of all necessary documentation.
According to the communiqué, efficient service delivery is critical to sustaining customer trust and improving the credibility of the industry.
The participants also called on government agencies, industry regulators, professional bodies, community leaders, developers, and practitioners to work together in building a transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly real estate environment that protects property buyers and supports sustainable national development.
Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical business practices, professional excellence, continuous capacity development, and responsible real estate investment in Nigeria.
The communiqué was signed by Comrade Damian Ogudike and Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, directors of Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, on behalf of the company’s board. It was also drafted and endorsed by the seminar’s resource persons, Mrs. Amaka Dim of Exotic Landlady Estate and Miss Blessing Anene of BuildWise Solution Centre Estate.
By Our Correspondent
ENUGU — Two families were left homeless on Saturday after a fire destroyed two flats in a two-storey building located at No. 22 Church Road, Asata, in Enugu metropolis.
The fire, which started at about 10 a.m., reportedly broke out after the occupants of the affected upper-floor flats had left for their daily activities.
Although the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, eyewitness Tony Iroji said the inferno completely destroyed household items and other valuables in the affected apartments.
One of the victims, who returned home while the building was engulfed in flames, reportedly collapsed after seeing the extent of the damage. He was revived by sympathisers at the scene.
The victim, said to be an employee of one of the higher institutions in Enugu State and nearing retirement, lamented that years of hard work had been wiped out by the incident.
According to him, the fire destroyed all his household property, including important documents and certificates, leaving him with no option but to relocate his family to his ancestral home.
“All I have worked for all these years is gone,” he said in tears.
No life was lost in the incident, but residents appealed to the Enugu State Government, emergency management agencies and public-spirited individuals to come to the aid of the affected families, even as they urged the authorities to investigate the cause of the fire.
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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the apex students governing body, has issued a four days ultimatum to South African business interests to evacuate Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Enugu by Comrade Amb. Bestman Okereafor, NANS National Executive Director, Cooperate and Private Sectors Engagement.
The statement said that after the expiration of the ultimatum, South African business interests would face full wrath of the over 43.1 million Nigerian students scattered in the nooks and crannies of the country.
“The attention of the apex students governing body, NANS, has been drawn to continuous attacks, intimidation and subsequent chase of law abiding, peaceful and hardworking Nigerians and other Africans from South Africa.
“As the biggest students body in Africa, we are giving South African business interests four days to evacuate our beloved country, Nigeria.
“The reason for this action is simple. South Africans cannot continue to oppress and chase our people from their country and expect their businesses to thrive on our soil,” it said.
The statement further noted that immediately after expiration of the ultimatum, NANS will consider picketing South Africa business interests, while further actions will follow.”
It called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the African Union (AU) to take more decisive actions against South Africa for their inimical acts towards other Africans.
“It is on record that Nigeria played a major role in support of South Africa during the apartheid struggle and should never be paid with disloyalty, disrespect and global embarrassment,” it added.
It would be recalled that xenophobic attack by South Africans on other Africans for some months had led to Nigerians being physically assaulted, embarrassed, intimidated, injured and some gruesomely murdered.
Several Nigeria business interests and business premises, owned by law abiding Nigerians in South Africa, had been completely burnt down or destroyed by rampaging South Africans without any justification.
The alleged perpetrators of these crimes had earlier given Nigerians and other Africans an ultimatum of June 30 to leave South Africa.
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had in recent weeks airlifted hundreds of Nigerians, who are willing to leave the unfriendly country and her people, free of charge back to Nigeria.
However, some of those, who returned to Nigeria recently, left South Africa barely with the cloth they put on, losing savings, valuables and businesses they set up or acquired after many years.
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