The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adebayo Adelabu

  • Stay the course

    Stay the course

    • The govt is right on free meters; this should have been the duty of the DisCos ab initio

    Nigerians who are conversant with the operations in the country’s power sector, particularly as they affect the electricity distribution companies (FisCos) would have seen their cold reaction coming, when the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, announced last week that prepaid meters must be free for all categories of customers.

    Adelabu said neither the DisCos nor the meter installers had any right to collect a dime for the installation of the meters and that anyone caught extorting power consumers would be prosecuted.

    The minister issued the warning on Thursday during an on-site inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos.

    Adelabu said the meters were procured under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme.

    “I want to mention that it is unprecedented that these meters are to be installed and distributed to consumers free of charge—free of charge! Nobody should collect money from any consumer. It is an illegality.

    “It is an offence for the officials of distribution companies across Nigeria to request a dime before installation; even the indirect installers cannot ask consumers for a dime. It has to be installed free of charge so that billings and collections will improve for the sector,” Adelabu said.

    Ideally, the minister is right. It is not the duty of electricity consumers to buy cable or any item before their meters could be installed. As a matter of fact, this would appear to be a post-privatisation practice. It was not like that in the past. Unfortunately, all this changed with the warped privatisation of the sector in November 2013.

    The exercise was not thorough as it only gave the entities out to cronies of the government of the day, with neither the financial muscle nor the technical acumen.

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    The effect soon became glaring. From day one they had to rely on government crutches to function. Despite their being private entities, the Federal Government continued to pump billions into their operations.

    That is the way things have been such that today, the entities, particularly the DisCos, can hardly stand on their own. The support or assistance that they have been getting from successive governments has given them the sense of entitlement to things they ordinarily should have shown evidence of their capacity to handle if the privatisation had been better handled.

    We are here talking about meters.

    At the time of privatisation, the metering gap was about eight million consumers. Today, it stands at about five million. And this is despite efforts by the Federal Government to help ease the burden, including the ongoing Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.

    Part of the reason we still have this huge number of electricity consumers unmetered is because the DisCos are not too keen on having them metered. They prefer the anachronistic estimated billing which allows them to extort consumers by making them pay for power that they did not consume.

    Now that the DisCos are, at least going by a report in ‘The Punch’, are asking who bears the cost of installation of the meters, it simply tells us the extent they have been used to being pampered by the government.

    Meters are important tools that the DisCos ought to have brought to the table ab initio if they truly wanted to earn their revenue. They were supposed not just to bring the meters but also install them, free of charge.

    Now, they are saying installation of meters was taken from them when Mr Babatunde Fashola was Minister of Power. Of course, Fashola must have done that for a good reason, apparently because he noticed the lack of enthusiasm on the part of the DisCos to have their customers metered.

    If a government is now saying they should do their job as appropriate, the DisCos should not complain. Players of note should not be debating a matter like this. Indeed, we cannot understand this business model of a producer not able to collect its revenue. Such a producer cannot be said to be in business. If the DisCos must invest a little more to get their deserved income, why not?

    The government is on the right path. It should stay the course. Indeed, there should be timelines and sanctions for non-compliance with government directives on this matter. If the power minister has to engage the DisCos to see if they have any genuine reason as to why they cannot cope, that should be done.

    Meanwhile, what has happened to local production of meters? We are not helping our economy if we import the quantum of meters that we need. The Federal Government must do all it takes to get the local meter producers in business.

    On the matter at hand, both the DisCos and the government must be challenged. The fight at hand is a strategy battle that we must win once and for all. The DisCos should not continue to keep all of us down with threats and cheap blackmail.

  • Free meters: Why electricity consumers may pay the price

    Free meters: Why electricity consumers may pay the price

    Sir: A few days ago, the Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu directed electricity consumers in Nigeria not to pay for the installation of meters. He also warned that any Distribution Company (DisCo) that violates this direction will face serious sanctions. This announcement raised a lot of controversy, with some DisCos reportedly describing it as a mare political statement. However, my main concern is: who ultimately bear the consequences? There is a proverb that says, when two elephant fight, the grass suffers. In this case, the “grass” is the Nigerian electricity consumer.

    To understand the situation properly, let us examine the core issue at the centre of the disagreement – metering.

    There are currently two major metering schemes in Nigeria.

    The first is the Meter Asset Provider (MAP), this was introduced by the Nigeria Electricity Regulation (NERC) in May 2019 under the MAP regulation. The aim is to bridge the metering gap in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). Under this arrangement, the customer pays upfront for the meters while the DisCo refund the cost gradually through monthly energy token. We will come back to this later!

    The second is the Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP) this is the free metering initiative, yes, it is free of charge. The DISREP is a $500m metering initiative funded by the World Bank and supported by the federal government of Nigeria. It aims to deliver 3.4 million smart meters nationwide at no direct cost to customers across Nigeria. However, just like the MAP Scheme, DisCos are expected to repay the cost of these meters over a period of ten-years. DisCos are also responsible for distribution, installation and maintenance of these meters within their franchise states.

    It is at the installation stage that the current controversy arises!

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    Let us get to the crux of the matter.

    On Thursday, the minister of power made it clear that no consumer should be charged any meter installation fee under the DISREP metering scheme, he describes such charges as illegal. On the other hand, the DisCos fired back insisting that the minister’s comments are mare political statements. They argued that, the meters may be funded under the programme, however, installation cost remain a critical operational expense.

    So when this happens, from the customer point of view, it will be interpreted as the unwillingness on the part of the DisCos to meter consumers or to slow down the metering pace. From the DisCos perspective, their major challenges lies in, cost recovery and financial sustainability as well as policy consistency by the government and regulators. They argued that if meter are provided and there is no fund for installation, the DisCos may likely face revenue losses which may affect their abilities to maintain infrastructure and improve service to their customers.

    While the federal government objectives is clearly to close the metering gap and ensure fair billing, however, lack of alignment with DisCos could unintentionally delay the very benefits the policy seeks to deliver.

    For Nigeria to close it metering gap, there is need for collaborative policy implementation between the regulators, government authorities, Discos and meter providers and installers. They must all agree to work together to establish a clear and sustainable funding framework that covers both meter procurement and installation.  The federal government on its part must design a financial framework that will balance customers’ interest with the sector financial sustainability.

    The ultimate goal is to provide meter to all electricity consumer in Nigeria.

    •Abubakar Ibrahim, PhD, Kano.

  • Power Minister Adelabu slams Makinde

    Power Minister Adelabu slams Makinde

    Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu has described the  verbal attack on him by  Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as “a clear indication of panic and desperation.’’

    Makinde had while briefing a team of journalists in Ibadan, said Adelabu lacked the capacity to unite the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state.

    But in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji,  the minister said the governor’s claim was baseless.

    He added that Makinde’s comment revealed ‘’ deep anxiety’’  as his political fortunes continue to dwindle in the face of a resurgent and united opposition’’ in the state.

    The statement partly reads: “Governor Makinde’s outburst is a projection of his own insecurities. His anger is driven by the collapse of the political arithmetic that previously worked in his favour.

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    ‘’The once-divided APC he exploited for electoral victories is now fully united, stronger, and purpose-driven. This unity, consolidating around influential leaders such as Chief Adelabu, Senator Teslim Folarin, and Her Excellency, Florence Ajimobi, has dismantled the governor’s only known pathway to victory.”

     The statement added that Makinde’s fear has been heightened by the growing influence of Adelabu, whom the governor had previously dismissed as lacking capacity.

     According to the statement, ‘’key allies of the governor are steadily migrating to Adelabu’s camp.’’ 

  • ‘Power supply decline caused by drop in generation’

    ‘Power supply decline caused by drop in generation’

    •Adelabu assures consumers of restoration

    The recent decline in power supply has been attributed to a temporary shortfall in power generation following an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline (ELP) and further compounded vandalism on critical gas infrastructure, which disrupted gas supply to several thermal power plants across the country.

    The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, however assured that the power supply drop will be resolved within the next 24 to 48 hours.

    He gave the assurances in response to a statement by the National Independent System Operator (NISO), which informed the public and power sector stakeholders that it is closely monitoring ongoing repair works being carried out by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). NISO confirmed that the pipeline explosion resulted in a significant reduction in electricity generation nationwide.

    According to NISO, several gas-fired power stations recorded reduced output following the incident, leading to a drop in available generation capacity on the national grid and a consequent shortfall in electricity supply to consumers. The System Operator, however, noted that it has received assurances from NGPTC that restoration works on the vandalised pipeline are nearing completion and that full operations are expected to resume within 24 to 48 hours.

    In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister, Bolaji Tunji, the Minister, after meetings with key power sector stakeholders, including NISO, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Ministry of Power, Power Generation Companies (GENCOs) and Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs), stressed the urgency of restoring gas supply and ramping up energy generation.

    Preliminary investigations, according to the Minister, have established that the gas supply shortage was caused by the ELP explosion and acts of vandalism on gas pipelines in the Niger Delta region. These incidents significantly reduced the volume of gas required to power key electricity plants, resulting in a sharp decline in overall generation on the national grid.

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    “We understand the frustration this has caused Nigerians. However, we wish to assure the public that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power, is working round the clock to address the situation with utmost urgency,” he said.

    He expressed confidence that a marked improvement in gas supply and power generation would be achieved within the next 24 to 48 hours, with a gradual return to normal generation levels thereafter.

    The Minister further stated that the Federal Government is treating the incident with utmost seriousness, noting that beyond immediate restoration efforts, long-term measures are being accelerated to diversify the nation’s energy mix, strengthen grid resilience, and deploy advanced surveillance technologies to safeguard critical infrastructure.

    He appealed to the public for patience and understanding during the temporary disruption and urged communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around power and gas facilities to security agencies, stressing that the protection of national infrastructure is a shared responsibility.

    Adelabu also reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to delivering stable, reliable, and sustainable electricity to power homes, industries, and the broader economy, assuring Nigerians that the temporary setback would not derail this objective.

  • Govt reviews rules to woo investment into national grid

    Govt reviews rules to woo investment into national grid

    The Federal Government is working with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to review regulations to encourage private investment in transmission lines and make the sector more attractive.

     Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, revealed this much in his remark at the PwC Annual Power and Utilities Roundtable, with the theme: “Multi-tier Electricity Market: Imperatives for Successful Evolution,” which held in Lagos.

    This move, when consummated, is expected to relieve the government of the full 100 per cent funding responsibility for the national grid and transmission network.

    According to him, the government has introduced a willing-buyer mechanism for transmission infrastructure, an initiative that allows private sector participation through a financing framework that enables investment in specific load centers, substations and transformers.

    He said: “Transmission is 100 per cent government-owned and it is too complex for government to continue funding alone.

     “Since there is a transparent willing-charge mechanism for transmission infrastructure, investors have a clear line of sight for recouping their investments”.

    He also emphasised that consumer financing will be crucial for the sustainability of the power sector, serving as a key driver for sector-wide investments.

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    He noted that financing for renewable energy at the consumer level is significantly easier to implement than the wholesale financing required for conventional generation, transmission and distribution systems.

    Minister said: “For the renewable energy space, I support renewable energy not only because of climate protection, decarbonisation, or net-zero commitments, but because of its role in expanding energy access.

     “That is the only realistic way to supply power to remote and border communities without extending the grid where it is not economically viable. Renewables not only improve energy access for rural communities; they also enhance productivity and bring prosperity to largely agrarian populations.

     “Renewable systems support irrigation for farming, solar-powered homes, and improved storage of excess harvests. They also strengthen agricultural processing and value addition through productive-use equipment.”

    The Minister further explained that through the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) and other initiatives, including a ₦5 billion facility from Sterling Bank, are supporting the distribution of solar home systems through network-based consumer financing.

    The scheme, according to him, allows participants to spread payments over 24 to 48 months, making renewable energy systems more affordable and accessible for rural communities.

    Adelabu explained that the World Bank, AfDB, GIZ, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and all development finance institutions are supporting the Federal Government to de-risk the renewable energy industry.

    This, according to him, is the reason why many renewable energy vendors are springing up in Nigeria.

    He said, “Under several programmes, up to 30 percent of system costs are subsidised through capital subsidies from the World Bank, DARES, and even the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which offered a large renewable energy loan facility to Nigeria — around US$190 million — to complement the World Bank’s US$750 million under the Distributed Access Through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) Project.

     “The vendors will contribute 70 percent of the capital. When aggregated, this will grow the industry, provide confidence, and accelerate sector-wide expansion,” the Minister stated.

  • Govt, firm sign concession on 6MW Ikire Gorge hydropower project

    Govt, firm sign concession on 6MW Ikire Gorge hydropower project

    The Federal Government and the Quaint Energy yesterday signed a concession agreement for the development of the 6MW Ikere Gorge Hydropower Project in Oyo State.

    The concession is for 30 years.

    Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said the negotiation of the project took over 10 years.

    He described the event as a milestone toward achieving a sustainable, reliable, and affordable power supply across the country.

    His words: “It gives me great pleasure to be here today to witness the signing of the concession agreement between the Federal Ministry of Power and Quaint Energy for the development of the 6MW Ikere Gorge Hydropower Project in Oyo State and the 2MW Omi-Kampe Hydropower Project in Kogi State.

    “This event marks another important milestone in our collective journey toward achieving a sustainable, reliable, and affordable power supply across Nigeria.”

    The ceremony was also for the signing of another concession agreement with for Omikampe project, which was postponed to allow the parties fine tune the contract documents.

    Adelabu said the Ikere Gorge Dam project and Omi-Kampe Dam Projects are more than hydropower concessions; it is a strategic intervention that underscores the Federal Government’s resolve to advance energy access, stimulate state electricity markets, and enhance local industrial productivity through clean and renewable energy sources.

    According to him, once fully developed, the hydropower plants have huge potential to scale further reliable electricity to surrounding communities, support agricultural processing zones, small industries, and social infrastructure, and catalyse rural economic transformation within Oyo and Kogi States, respectively.

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    He also said the signing also reaffirms the Ministry’s strong belief in private sector-led growth as the foundation for achieving sustainability in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

    The minister said the government’s role is increasingly that of an enabler by creating the right regulatory environment, ensuring policy consistency, and de-risking investments through credible partnerships and transparent processes.

    According to him, through public–private partnerships like this concession, the government is  unlocking capital, technology, and innovation from the private sector to deliver projects that directly impact citizens and strengthen energy security.

    Responding, the Quaint Energy chairman, Mr. Femi Adeyanju vowed not to disappoint in the delivery of the project in line with the timeline.

    He said the concession will be beneficial to state and area of location.

    The chairman also vowed to prove that Quaint Energy is competent enough to handle the project.

  • Adelabu promises to end 15-year epileptic power supply in Ibarapa zone

    Adelabu promises to end 15-year epileptic power supply in Ibarapa zone

    The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has pledged to end the 15 years of epileptic power supply in Ibarapa zone of Oyo State.

    Adelabu, who is also a gubernatorial aspirant of All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2027, said Ibarapa residents would begin to see improvement in electricity supply because his Ministry has secured fund for the completion of three power substation in the zone.

    Speaking in Eruwa while meeting APC leaders, stakeholders and members in Ibarapa zone, the Minister noted that adequate electricity supply in Ibarapa region has become a major concern to him.

    Ibarapa land consists of seven towns of  Eruwa, Lanlate, Igboora, Idere, Ayete, Tapa, and Igangan.

    Adelabu promised to complete the three power substation before he leaves office as Power Minister, adding that work will commence on them in the next one week.

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    According to him: “We’ve identified and diagnosed the issue of electricity in Ibarapa. Previously, the challenge was scarce resources, but we have now secured the release of sufficient funds to complete the substation in Ibarapa and upgrade the existing infrastructure. 

    “As you can see, we’ve started delivering transformers as part of our efforts. Similarly, we’ve begun lighting up road sides and major clusters. Ibarapa, please relax; I give you my word that the project will be completed and commissioned before I leave office.”

    Adelabu, during a consultation and reconciliation meeting with stakeholders of the party in Ibadan city, which was organised by Oyo State APC Reconciliation Team, Ibadan Southwest chapter urged leaders, stakeholders and members of the party to embrace genuine reconciliation ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

    The Minister said the step became necessary so that members of the party can be in unity, speak with one voice and wrestle power from People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2027.

    According to him, all party members should set aside their difference and forge alliances.

    The Minister, who said his governorship ambition is not a do-or-die affair maintained that the state belongs to progressive and must return to progressive fold in 2027 elections.

  • 2027: My governorship ambition not for selfishness, but interest of Oyo people –  Adelabu

    2027: My governorship ambition not for selfishness, but interest of Oyo people –  Adelabu

    The Minister of Power and 2027 All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has said his gubernatorial ambition is not for personal nor selfish reasons, but in the interest of people in the state.

     Adelabu said his passion to serve the state as governor was borne out of his love for the poor, less privileges and the entire people across the state.

     Speaking while addressing APC leaders, stakeholders and members of the party in Oke-Ogun Zone 2 of the state, Adelabu said if given the chance to be the governor of the state in 2027, he would work towards the progress and development of the state.

     Oke-Ogun Zone 2 consists of six local governments namely: Oorelope, Saki East, Saki West, Olorunsogo, Irepo and Atisbo local governments.

     The Minister, who was accompanied by the brother of the late former governor of the state, Alhaji Wasiu Ajimobi, Abiodun Ambali, Alhaji Wale Sanusi, Alhaji Kola Amoo, and Alhaji Fatai Adesokan, and others, emphasised on unity of the party ahead of next election.

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     He stated that the interest of people in the state would always be his priority, adding that he will not disappoint people if voted as the governor of the state in the next election.

     According to him, with the full support of members of the party and people in the state, the party will take over Agodi Government House from the ruling PDP come 2027.

     He said, “United APC owns Oyo State, PDP is a tenant in Agodi Government House, a divided house can never be victorious, APC will regain Oyo State in 2027.

     “There should be internal democracy in our party and this starts from our upcoming congress, I want to assure you that no one will impose any candidate on us, our party should unite and stand as one.”

     The Minster had earlier met some APC leaders in Saki including Alhaji Sulaimon Ajibade (Saki West Local Government), Alhaji Hamed Ayinla (Olorunsogo Local Government), Alhaji Balogun Mayor Alagbada (Saki East Local Government) and Chief Lateef Ajemeje (Atisbo Local Government), among others.

     In his remark, member representing Saki West, Saki East and Atisbo Federal Constituency, Hon. Kareem Abisodun, who sought for intervention of the Minister concerning power in the zone, lauded the giant stride of the Minister in power sector across Nigeria, saying Adelabu’s efforts in Power Ministry cannot be overemphasized.

     He vowed that people in the six local governments would support and vote massively for the party come 2027 so that the APC can come back to power in the state in the next election.

     Also, a former Commissioner in the state, Hon. Raji Rasaki said Adelabu’s visit to the zone became necessary, particularly when 2027 elections are around the corner.

     He maintained that Oke-Ogun Zone 2 remained core progressive and will continue to show support and massively vote for the party.

     Alhaji Wasiu Ajimobi in his address, said Ibadan people were solidly behind Adelabu’s governorship ambition, urged people in Oke-Ogun Zone 2 to stand behind Adelabu gubernatorial ambition so as to wrest power from the ruling PDP.

     Dignitaries at the event were: Hon. Tajudeen Abisodun, ex-ALGON Chairman in the state, Hon. Yekeen Popoola, Alhaji Nojeem Omirinde and Chief Enoch Adediran among others.

  • Chinese fake products

    Chinese fake products

    • Fed Govt. and China must parley, even as monitoring agencies have to be alive to their responsibilities

    The call by Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, on China to take stringent measures to stop the manufacturing of substandard goods in China, for export to Nigeria, deserves greater diplomatic engagement from the Federal Government. His assertion that manufacturers in China produce different qualities of goods for different countries is correct.

    For example, while Chinese exports to the United States of America and other advanced countries are of the highest quality, most of the goods imported into Nigeria from China are of the lowest quality.

    The minister, according to his aide, Bolaji Tunji, spoke at a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai. The minister acknowledged the capacity of China to produce high quality goods, noting that allowing for the production of low quality goods tarnishes the image of the country.

    He admonished China to have a minimum standard for its products, regardless of the country of destination for the goods. Among other things, he called on Chinese companies to train Nigerians by way of transfer of technology.

    We note that such discriminatory practice is not coincidental, and if measures are not put in place to reverse the prevailing trend, Nigeria would continue to be a dumping ground for substandard goods.

    To reverse the ugly trend, Nigeria would have to engage China on several fronts, in addition to diplomacy. Nigeria must streamline her import procedure to checkmate what clearly amounts to economic sabotage by importers of substandard products.

    For, no nation would develop when it allows the importation of products that undermine its economic development. The minister also noted that trade between China and Nigeria has reached $20 billion, as he called for a deeper strategic partnership.

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    In 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) renewed the 15 billion yuan ($2 billion) currency swap agreement between the two countries for another three years. The CBN said the renewal would help deepen economic ties, encourage investment and facilitate cross-border trade, and reduce over-reliance on the currencies of third party countries like the United States dollars. This collaboration shows that Nigeria and China are strong trading partners.

    China has also been very supportive of Nigeria’s economic development, especially in the railway sector, both in financing and building the rail networks. As the minister also noted, China has provided crucial support to Nigeria in the energy sector.

    He highlighted crucial Chinese investments in the $1.4 billion Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant and a $2.5 billion transmission project for the Eastern and Western super grid, which the Chinese financial institutions funded. There are several other similar infrastructures that the Chinese have supported in Nigeria. With such deep relationship, both countries should work to end the manufacture of substandard products for Nigerian market.

    One measure that should be put in place is effective pre-shipment inspection for exports to Nigeria, with inspectors having express responsibility to ensure that goods from China to Nigeria are thoroughly examined before shipment. Such companies would be liable to pay damages to Nigeria for negligence in their duties.

    Also, Chinese companies which consistently manufacture substandard goods for export to Nigeria should be blacklisted, and Nigerians duly notified that imports from such recalcitrant offenders are banned from entering into Nigeria.

    While calling on China to help Nigeria rein in manufacturers of substandard goods imported into Nigeria, the cancerous network of corruption, which provides cover on the Nigerian side must be wrestled to the ground. Many of the importers are not Chinese; they are also not the Customs officials, the clearing agents, members of the staff of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other regulatory bodies charged with ensuring that adulterated or substandard products do not enter into Nigeria. But these agencies must be more proactive in discharging their responsibilities.

    Also, while we blame the country of origin of such substandard products, we must blame importers who, in search of material wealth, poison consumers. That is, those who feed from the challenges foisted on their fellow citizens, because people die from the malfunction of those imported substandard products, whether food, or drugs or appliances.

    We condemn their lack of patriotism and urge for efficient regulations, laws and enforcement organs to rein in those feeding  fat from the misery of fellow citizens.

  • Powering our campuses

    Powering our campuses

    • More tertiary institutions get solar minigrid

    With the Federal Government’s approval of N68.7bn for a Solar Minigrid Electricity Project for eight of its universities and a teaching hospital, these institutions can be hopeful of more stable and affordable power  supply on their campuses.

    Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

    The beneficiary universities are: University of Benin, Benin; University of Lagos, Lagos; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Others are Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; Federal University, Dutse, and Federal University, Wukari.

     “This initiative aims to ease the energy cost burden on universities and hospitals by providing reliable, good-quality electricity”, the minister said adding that “The lack of stable power supply has created crises in some schools and hospitals, with institutions unable to afford local electricity.”

    As the minister noted, epileptic power supply has created a lot of problems on many university campuses, especially for those of them on Band A that have had to contend with more than triple the monthly electricity bills they used to pay since last year when the new tariff structure began.

    Band A electricity consumers in the country had their tariffs adjusted from the previous N68/KWh to N225/kWh last year. They are are to have at least 20 hours of power supply per day.

    While this may be a fair deal for the universities in terms of the hours of light they have per day, the tariff is not pocket-friendly.

    For Ahmadu Bello University, its electricity bill jumped from N1.2 bn to N4.4 bn per annum; that of the University of Ilorin rose from N70 million to N230m monthly, and N840m to N2.7bn, respectively, per annum. University of Jos’s electricity bill jumped from N25m to N30m to N80m every month; that translates to about N960m annually.

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    The situation in other universities is not significantly different, that is for those on Band A.

    This compelled some of the institutions to devise survival strategies, taking energy-saving measures to reduce power consumption and mitigate the financial impact of rising tariffs on their budgets.

    But nothing compares to the option Energising Education Programme, led by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) that the Federal Government has brought in to change the narrative.

    It is therefore not surprising that the institutions are excited about it and have commended the government for the initiative, which is expected to be a game changer on the campuses; at least as far as power supply is concerned.

    It is significant that the eight new beneficiary-institutions are the second batch to benefit under the scheme. Other universities that similar renewable energy projects have already been implemented, with support from the World Bank, are University of Abuja, Abuja, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (8 MW).

    Others are the Nigerian Defence Academy (2.6MW) and the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, which also uses solar power.

    Stable power supply is sine qua non in our tertiary institutions as in other places, to enable them function optimally.

    With this latest initiative, the Federal Government has taken a major step towards addressing this critical area of need of the institutions. We can only plead with it to expedite release of funds to facilitate completion of the projects, and also ensure proper supervision to ensure that money allocated is judiciously spent.

    This is the only way to make the initiative go round the federal tertiary institutions.

    Moreover, regular maintenance is key to the durability of these facilities. Lack of good maintenance culture is a major problem of public institutions in the country.

    With these alternative power sources for the tertiary institutions, the Bola Tinubu administration has fulfilled a major campaign promise of up-scaling tertiary education in the country through targeted funding of pressing needs.

    The universities must do their part to sustain them.

    State governments and other proprietors of universities and other tertiary institutions desirous of cutting their power cost should emulate this example of the Federal Government.