The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Electricity

  • Power minister assures Nigerians of prompt restoration of electricity supply

    Power minister assures Nigerians of prompt restoration of electricity supply

    The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians of the prompt restoration of electricity supply after a recent decline caused by a temporary shortfall in power generation.

     Mr Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister of Power made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday night.

    Tunji said that the minister gave the assurance during a meeting held with key power sector stakeholders, including Nigeria Independent System Operator (NISO).

    Others in the meeting included Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Ministry of Power, Power Generation Companies (GenCos), and Power Distribution Companies (DisCos).

    According to him, the situation is expected to be resolved within the next 24 to 48 hours.

    ”The drop in power supply followed an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline (ELP), compounded by acts of vandalism on critical gas infrastructure, which disrupted gas supply to several thermal power plants across the country”he said.

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    At the meeting, stakeholders confirmed that repairs to the vandalised pipelines would be completed within 24 to 48 hours, enabling the resumption of gas supply.

    The minister subsequently directed all relevant agencies to intensify their efforts to ensure the timeline was adhered to.

    The minister’s  assurance also came in response to a statement   by the NISO  informing the public and power sector stakeholders that it was 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 also 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 had received assurances from NGPTC that restoration works on the vandalised pipeline were nearing completion and that full operations were expected to resume within 24 to 48 hours.

    Adelabu acknowledged the inconveniences currently being experienced by households and businesses.

    He emphasised that the disruption was temporary and directly linked to acute gas supply constraints affecting several thermal power generation stations.

    Given the increased electricity demand during the Yuletide season, he stressed  the urgency of restoring gas supply and ramping up energy generation.

     Adelabu said that preliminary investigation  had 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,”he said.

    Adelabu,  while acknowledging the impact of the power disruption on businesses and households,  assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving the issue swiftly.

    “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 also 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 was treating the incident with utmost seriousness.

    He  noted that beyond immediate restoration efforts, long-term measures were being accelerated to diversify the nation’s energy mix, strengthen grid resilience, and deploy advanced surveillance technologies to safeguard critical infrastructure.

    Adelabu appealed to the public for patience and understanding during the temporary disruption.

    He also  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 was a shared responsibility.

    Adelabu, however, reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu-led administration to delivering stable, reliable, and sustainable electricity to power homes, industries, and the broader economy.(NAN)

  • Bridging electricity gap through public, private partnership

    Bridging electricity gap through public, private partnership

    As Nigeria celebrates 65th independence anniversary, access to adequate and regular electricity supply remains a key challenge. With major reforms in regulations, sources, administration and sustainability, the government has taken major measures to address electricity constraints. A budding private, public partnership (PPP) across the electricity chain represents substantial potential to bridge diverse access to electricity. In this report, Deputy Group Business Editor, Taofik Salako, reports on how PPP-based off-grid power projects are transforming communities.

    The facts around Nigeria’s electricity industry are staggering. The federal government subsidised electricity supply to customers by N536.4 billion in first quarter 2025. On the average, monthly electricity subsidy stands at about N200 billion. The gap between annual subsidy estimate and actual budget is more than 80 per cent. For instance, in 2024, annual subsidy was N2.9 trillion while the Appropriation Act was N450 billion, building up residual debts currently estimated at more than N4 trillion. Besides, Nigerians spend some N30 trillion annually on personal, off-grid power generation.

    With nearly half of Nigeria’s population not connected to the national grid, the country is faced with dual challenge of resolving inefficiencies in national grid supply and enabling alternative power systems to provide electricity as the basic catalyst of its economic development programme.

    The Federal Government is aggressively pursuing multi-faceted strategies to bridge the electricity gap, energising both global and domestic partnerships to simultaneously drive enabling reforms that improve the efficiencies and competitiveness of the electricity market while expanding supports for the vulnerable and underserved segment.  

    At the recent Mission 300 summit, President Bola Tinubu underscored the importance of private, public partnerships in achieving mass electrification of Nigeria and other African countries. Tinubu estimated that Nigeria would require an investment of $23.2 billion for last-mile electrification, including contributions from the public and private sectors. These targeted investments are not entirely for national grid electrification projects; a substantial portion involves off-grid solutions such as standalone solar projects that deliver affordable and renewable energy to many isolated rural communities in the north as well as mini-grids to serve some urban centres.

    A United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) report, published in July 2025, highlighted transformative initiatives by the government over the past two years, starting from the landmark June 8, 2023 signing into law of the Electricity Act 2023 by Tinubu to the institutionalisation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP) in May 2025. NIEP, which was mandated by the Electricity Act 2023, provides comprehensive blueprint for universal electricity access, a higher renewable energy mix by 2060, and establishes new electricity market designs among others.

    “For the reforms in the sector to succeed, financing is key. Public finance alone will not solve the sector’s challenges, hence leveraging private sector capital is crucial,” the UNDP report stated, noting that NIEP rightly recognised that “significant capital injection from the private sector and development partners is essential for network expansion and achieving universal access”. 

    The Energy Commission of Nigeria stated that transformative investments and initiatives by the Tinubu-led government have increased the country’s electricity supply by 50 per cent, from historic 4,000 megawatts to 6,000 megawatts. But this still falls short of a quarter of what the country needed to achieve full electrification. “For every household to have affordable access to electricity, Nigeria must generate 40,000 MW,” Director-General, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, said.

    Partnerships for light

    With the undeniable need for private initiatives, the launch of a scalable off-grid electrification project by Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation and the Australian High Commission in Nigeria has generated much excitement among stakeholders. ANI Foundation is rooted in sustainability and diversity. It provides hands-on protected area management including community engagement, ranger-led law enforcement, and enterprise planning support delivered through long-term management and partnership agreements with government. The not-for-profit organisation, which collaborates with the National Park Service (NPS), currently works in Gashaka Gumti National Park in Taraba and Adamawa States and Okomu National Park in Edo State. ANI Foundation’s objective is to protect Nigeria’s incredible biodiversity while demonstrating that conservation can drive local economic development through the long-term co-management of protected areas.

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    The ANI Foundation-Australian High Commission partnership, built on a PPP with the NPS and host communities, has delivered boundless to people of Mayo Selbe, a community tucked deep behind the rolling hills and mountain peaks of Gashaka Gumti National Park and the Mambilla Plateau. Mayo Selbe was one several Nigerian villages for which electricity was something they could only dream of, but now savouring illumination through alternative, off-grid projects. A total of 63 households in Mayo Selbe, chosen by a GPS-driven scientific method of mapping, have been connected to the off-grid electricity project, with the scientific method ensuring spread and fairness within the community.

    The Mayo Selbe project, undertaken under Direct Aid Programme of the Australian High Commission, also involved an Australian company, Okra Solar and Creeds Energy, a Nigerian clean-tech company focused on sustainable, affordable and reliable solar solutions.

    The choice of Mayo Selbe for the pilot phase of the expansive off-grid project was symbolic. The people of Mayo Selbe represented the vast majority of underserved communities, which hopes of electrification had been delayed or dashed by the retinue of Nigeria’s failed or abandoned projects. For the people of     Mayo Selbe and many other communities living in the southern part of Taraba State, close to the border of Gashaka Gumti National Park, they had hoped and prayed for more than five decades for the realisation of the 3,050 megawatt hydroelectric Mambilla Power Project. The project, conceived as far back as 1972, was meant to have been built on the Mambilla Plateau near the border with Cameroon, just over an hour’s drive from Mayo Selbe. Regarded then as one of the biggest power projects in Africa, the Mambilla Power Project remains till date a dream, characterised by allegations of corruption. So, the joy of the people of Mayo Selbe was palpable when flickers of light beamed through the community for the first time ever.

    What electricity means for the people  

    During the commissioning of the project at the palace of the community chief, His Royal Highness, Yerima Thomas Maiyanga, the people of Mayo Selbe danced, cheered and rejoiced as intermittent speeches by stakeholders. Known as Kum Mayo Selbe, Maiyanga himself was effusive in his praise of ANI Foundation and the NPS.

    He said: “ANI Foundation has carried out many initiatives to empower and equip community members since they started working at the Gashaka Gumti National Park, in partnership with the National Park Service. We have seen the empowerment scheme for women for example, whose impact has been felt in different households and across the community. Today, 63 households have been connected to the electricity project, this is even more than we ever dreamt about”.

    The Lamido of Gashaka, Zubairu Hammangabdo Sambo, who also spoke at the commissioning, commended the partnership between ANI Foundation and the Australian High Commission. He noted that the project marked a new height in community development initiatives in Gashaka and beyond. According to him, the Mayo Selbe electrification project built on other projects by ANI Foundation, including the training of hundreds of women in the area in modern agricultural practices.

    Richard Okorie, a man from the eastern part of the country who has lived in Mayo Selbe for the past 35 years, was overwhelmed with joy in his appreciation of ANI.

    According to him, the scheme would save him a lot of the money he would have spent on petrol to power his business and residence.

    “Knowing that the Gashaka Gumti National Park, being operated by the National Park Service (NPS), is here, this is the type of benefits one can look forward to. The partnership between NPS and ANI has yielded this wonderful project. It is a huge relief to finally have electricity, which as you can see, is why I can now watch TV, put on the fan and power my business,” Okorie said.

    Hafsatu Ladan, a female beneficiary who also spoke on the development, described the electrification project as God-sent to the community.

    She said: “It is a new beginning for the community and the people of Mayo Selbe are more than happy with the development, which will not only empower those who own shops in the community but will also help our children study anytime of the day”.

    With electricity remaining a luxury in many communities in the area, Hassan Musa, another resident, said Mayo Selbe is now one of those to be envied across the Gashaka landscape, all thanks to ANI Foundation and the Australian High Commission.

    Everyone agreed on one thing: the project would transform lives as it was known in the community, especially at night and particularly in the selected households.

    Community relations

    Country Manager, ANI Foundation, Nacha Geoffrey, said the Mayo Selbe project was conceived and delivered in continuation of the not-for-profit organisation’s objective to transform and empower communities living around the national park.

    Geoffrey said the GPS-based method was adopted to ensure that the selection process for the beneficiaries was even, fair and transparent.

    Conservator-General, National Park Service, Dr. Ibrahim Goni, described the project as a new milestone by ANI Foundation in its unrelenting efforts regarding community empowerment.

    Goni, who was represented by Assistant Conservator-General Cornelius Oladipo, called on the community to take ownership and protect the project.

    He said: “I congratulate you on this transformative development and urge you to safeguard this solar infrastructure and continue to work closely with the National Park Service and ANI Foundation”.

    Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Ms Leilani Bin-Juda, said the project was a meaningful milestone in community impact.

    “It is truly inspiring to see the fruits of the collaboration between such an innovative Australian company, Okra Solar, and our esteemed partner through the High Commission’s Direct Aid Programme, Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation, who have been carrying out remarkable projects helping local communities, particularly around the Gashaka Gumti National Park.

    “This initiative, which will bring clean, green, solar energy to 63 households in Mayo Selbe for the first time, represents a meaningful milestone in delivering tangible benefits to the local community around Gashaka Gumti National Park,” Bin-Juda said, in her message to the community at the commissioning ceremony.

    Taraba State Commissioner for Heritage and Ecotourism, Hon. Joseph Nagombe, said the project aligned with the developmental goals of the Agbu Kefas administration.

    He reiterated the support of the Taraba State Government for ANI Foundation and other development partners, especially on projects around the Gashaka Gumti National, which contains highest mountain peak in Nigeria and West Africa.

    “It is indeed heartwarming to see the ANI Foundation partnership with the National Park Service delivering tangible community development linked to tourism initiatives, in Taraba State,” Nagombe, a son of the soil, said.

    Also, Member of the Code of Conduct Bureau and retired judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Buba, captured the essence of the project succinctly. He said the project demonstrated a partnership founded on vision and commitment.

    He said: “The commissioning of this solar electrification project in Mayo Selbe is a testament to what can be achieved when vision meets commitment. This initiative, spearheaded by the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation in partnership with the Australian High Commission and the Gashaka community, exemplifies a truly transformative collaboration. As many of you know, our community in Gashaka has long been a dedicated partner with the ANI Foundation, working tirelessly to preserve our natural heritage while fostering sustainable development. It is not easy to give people electricity, ANI is doing it, which is essentially about carrying out a revolution without making noise”.

    With the success of the pilot phase, ANI Foundation said it would replicate the off-grid project in many other communities. Deputy Project Manager, ANI Foundation, David Peter, said while the Mayo Selbe was one-of-a-kind, more of such would be replicated in more communities. He said the project framework was built for expansion and greater reach to unserved and underserved communities.

    Experts agreed that solar energy is probably the most practicable solutions to Nigeria’s energy problem. This much was also captured by the NIEP. As the country continues the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, with acceleration of the deployment of the NIEP, analysts expressed optimism that increased participation by all tiers of government and foreign and domestic private stakeholders, the country should witness significant improvement in the scale, adequacy and reach of its electrification supply. At the intersection of all these efforts lie meaningful PPP models, a commitment recently reinforced by the Tinubu-led government.

  • Blackout looms in Benin over alleged sabotage

    Blackout looms in Benin over alleged sabotage

    Blackout is looming in parts of Benin City, the Edo State capital, as management of the Ossiomo Power said it uncovered plans to disrupt its operations at Ologbo community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

    Ossiomo Power generates 95MW of electricity, which it distributes to its customers.

    It said the plot to disrupt its operations was a threat to public safety and a contempt of court.

    The power firm has been at loggerheads with its Chinese partners, the Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Company (CCTEC), over ownership of the firm.

    Ossiomo Power said it owned the company and that the CCETC were its contractor, but the CCETC said the firm was a joint venture on a 75 per cent and 25 per cent ownership basis.

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    Legal Consultant to Ossiomo, Emmanuel Usoh, who spoke on Saturday in Benin City, said some individuals allegedly acting on behalf of its partner, CCETC, unlawfully opened the gas valve at the Quadrant gas infrastructure within its Ossiomo plant in Ologbo.

    Usoh said details of the incident had been submitted to the relevant court and an arbitral panel for determination.

    He said, “Beyond constituting a criminal act and disobedience to a valid restraining order granted by the Edo State High Court, it portends grave health and safety risks for communities surrounding the facility.

    “The matter has been formally reported to security agencies for prompt intervention.

    “Ossiomo Investments Limited is a key private power supplier in Edo State, with its operations providing electricity and gas services to industrial and public facilities.

    “The company remains committed to maintaining a safe, reliable energy supply and upholding the law despite ongoing disputes.”

  • Nigeria scores well on electricity reform rankings, but power supply isn’t affordable and reliable. Here’s why

    Nigeria scores well on electricity reform rankings, but power supply isn’t affordable and reliable. Here’s why

    • By Taiwo Hassan Odugbemi

    Nigeria’s electricity sector remains fragile. About 85 million Nigerians (43% of the population) lack access to grid electricity. This is one of the biggest energy access gaps in the world.

    Generation capacity is roughly 12,000MW–13,500MW, but far less power is actually delivered. In 2023, Nigeria generated 4,500MW for a population of over 200 million. For comparison, Ethiopia, with a population of 132 million, recently added 6,000MW to its generation capacity. Prior to that, it generated 5,200MW.

    Nigeria’s under-delivery is largely due to systemic challenges in the grid. These include technical inefficiencies, vandalism and ageing infrastructure.

    A new Electricity Act was passed in 2023 to address these problems by providing a legal and institutional structure. It was also designed to steer Nigeria’s power sector towards greater efficiency, integrated planning and the inclusion of renewable sources of energy.

    For the first time, the act empowered the 36 state governments to generate, transmit and distribute electricity within their territories.

    By July 2025, 10 states had introduced their own electricity market laws. They had also begun to set up state-level regulators and frameworks to oversee electricity operations within their borders.

    Until such laws are in place, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission continues to regulate the sector.

    But the shift from federal control towards localised electricity solutions raises questions about coordination, regulatory clarity and the capacity of individual states.

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    These are the challenges highlighted in the African Development Bank’s Electricity Regulatory Index Report, published in 2024. The report covers 43 countries.

    Overall, the index’s 2024 tables place Nigeria 15th out of the 43 assessed countries.

    I reviewed the report based on my academic research, which has included a PhD on reform in Nigeria’s power sector. The report makes it clear that Nigeria’s electricity reforms look solid on paper, but the real-world results still lag. The country’s energy sector is not uniformly ready to carry out the reforms. And, although there are rules and the regulator is not starting from zero, Nigerians still don’t have consistent, affordable and reliable power.

    The African Development Bank’s message is clear. To provide a reliable service, utilities must be transparent and financially sustainable.

    The indicators

    The index scores countries on three aspects of regulation:

    • Governance (laws and institutions)

    • Substance (whether rules and tools exist and are applied)

    • Outcomes (what consumers and utilities experience).

    So how does Nigeria score?

    Governance: Nigeria performs strongly. It had a Regulatory Governance Index score of 0.897 in 2024, which is high.

    The countries ahead of Nigeria are Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa.

    The score reflects a reasonably well-defined legal mandate for the regulator and formal processes for decision-making. It suggests Nigeria’s electricity regulatory frameworks are comparatively robust by continental standards.

    However, a gap remains. Nigeria is among the countries where regulatory documents and decisions are not consistently published. This weakens transparency and public accountability, according to the report.

    Some others in this category are Ghana, Burundi and Congo.

    Regulations: Nigeria scores well here too (0.843). The top performing countries are Rwanda, Uganda, Senegal and Kenya.

    Many of the essential instruments such as tariff methodologies, licensing frameworks, grid codes and consumer protection rules are in place.

    But there is a gap between design and robust enforcement.

    Outcomes: Here Nigeria continues to struggle. It scores 0.642, dragged down especially by quality of service delivery (0.512). Kenya, Senegal and Zimbabwe score above 0.80.

    The report highlights severe reliability problems. Some surveys reported over 32 outages per month. This places Nigeria among the countries with the least reliable electricity supply globally.

    Frequent power outages affect Nigeria’s economy. It drives up the cost of doing business, stalling production and discouraging investment.

    Distribution companies also face challenges. Only about half of the revenues owing to them end up in their coffers. This undermines financial sustainability.

    Nigeria’s overall position of 15th in the Electricity Regulatory Index’s 2024 tables underscores a gap: strong governance and a solid regulatory toolbox, but weak consumer outcomes.

    Despite reforms, weaknesses persist

    Five issues explain why outcomes trail behind governance and substance:

    • Weak enforcement of rules, reducing investor and consumer confidence

    • Financial weakness: high losses and poor tariff collection undermine sector sustainability

    • Supply unreliability: outages are frequent and generation capacity is limited

    • Governance gaps: political interference constrains regulator independence

    • Limited consumer protection: complaints resolution and metering progress remain inadequate.

    Moving forward

    Nigeria’s electricity sector requires stronger, coordinated reforms to translate regulatory frameworks into reliable supply.

    The federal government must make policies consistent and give the commission independence. Subsidies must be transparent and targeted.

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission must enforce tariffs, ensure there’s metering and protect consumers. It must also enhance market transparency. State governments, empowered under the 2023 Act, should establish credible regulatory agencies and align policies with national standards.

    Distribution companies and generation companies must become more efficient and invest in infrastructure upgrades.

    Finally, development partners and investors should provide technical and financial to accountability.

    Together, support tied these actions can create a sustainable, consumer-focused electricity market.

    •Odugbemi is lecturer in Economics, University of Abuja. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the https://theconversation.com/nigeria-scores-well-on-electricity-reform-rankings-but-power-supply-isnt-affordable-and-reliable-heres-why-263824”

  • Nigeria needs total digital transformation of the electricity sector to boost economy

    Nigeria needs total digital transformation of the electricity sector to boost economy

    JP Attueyi is a specialist in enterprise information technology and transformation. At Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Attueyi led the digital transformation of Nigeria’s second largest electricity distribution company. Looking back at that experience and indepth understanding of the electricity industry, Attueyi, in this panel interview, dissects Nigeria’s electricity problems, the path forward & the implications for the economy amongst others.

    Initiatives such as the one developed by the World Bank for the digital economy in Africa, what impact do you expect it to have on the development of Africa and, particularly, Nigeria?

    The World Bank’s initiative rep- resents a timely and strategic intervention to transform Africa into a competitive global economic force through technology. As Africa’s largest economy and home to one of the world’s most youthful populations, over 200 million strong, Nigeria stands at a critical advantage to lead this digital transformation.

    The long-term impact on Nigeria could be truly transformative, pro- vided the country accelerates progress across five core pillars of a digital economy: digital infrastructure, digital platforms, digital financial services, digital entrepreneurship, and digital skills.

    As a consultant working closely with stakeholders in this space, I see firsthand the potential for similar technology led reforms to drive inclusive growth.

    One of the World Bank’s projects is aimed at providing access to electricity to over 200 million people. What is the level of electrification of the continent and the country and what are the forecasts for demand in the coming years?

    Nigeria, as the most populous country in Africa, holds immense potential for economic and social development. By 2050, its population is projected to exceed 377 million, placing substantial pressure on the nation’s electricity demand. Yet today, the electrification gap remains stark: in 2023, the World Bank reported that over 85 million Nigerians, nearly 36% of the population, still lacked access to grid electricity, making Nigeria one of the countries with the largest energy access deficits globally.

    The opportunity for transformation, however, is equally significant. Nigeria is blessed with abundant renewable energy resources, especially solar. This opens the door for a hybrid electrification model, combining traditional grid extension with decentralized energy solutions such as solar hybrid mini- grids and solar home systems, particularly in rural and underserved regions.

     How will the modernization of Nigeria’s electricity system help to achieve economic transformation agenda of the government?

    As Nigeria steadily moves away from oil dependency, several dynamic sectors are gaining momentum including agritech, technology start-ups, digital education platforms, manufacturing, and data centers. These industries rep- resent the future of Nigeria’s economy, but their growth is heavily dependent on reliable power supply.

    Unfortunately, Nigeria continues to struggle with inadequate electricity capacity. With a population exceed- ing 200 million, the country currently has access to only about 4,500MW of electricity. To put that in perspective, Egypt, with a population of roughly 140 million, generates over 38,000MW. This comparison starkly highlights the need for urgent investment and mod- ernization across Nigeria’s electricity value chain.

    To meet rising demand and support the growth of emerging sectors, distribution companies (Discos) must become far more efficient in managing the limited power supplied by generation companies. This level of efficiency is simply not possible without deploy- ing modern, intelligent technologies.

    Modernization and digitalization are crucial for the growth of utilities across Africa, and Nigeria is taking meaningful steps in this direction. The continent has recognized early on the benefits of digital technologies; improving efficiency, decision-making, and customer satisfaction.

    In Nigeria, the energy sector plays a key role in driving economic and social development. With initiatives like the N700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative and the World Bank-funded plan to install 4.3 million meters by 2025, we are seeing positive strides toward improving electricity supply, billing accuracy, and customer experience. These programs also include end-to-end infrastructure like smart meters, communication systems, and data management tools.

    Still, challenges remain. Over 7 million Nigerian customers remain unmetered, highlighting a major gap. Digital technologies such as IoT, AI, and big data can help close this gap by improving real-time monitoring, reducing energy theft, enabling predictive maintenance, and optimizing asset use.

    Smart grid development is also key, allowing for efficient power distribution, integration of renewables, and greater grid flexibility. This leads to a more sustainable, resilient system and empowers consumers through real-time data and demand-response participation.

    Achieving this transformation re- quires strong collaboration between government, the private sector, and development partners. Support from institutions like the World Bank and African Development Bank will be essential in enabling DISCOs to meet performance targets and attract private investment.

    In short, digital transformation in Nigeria’s power sector is both promising and essential for companies, consumers, and the country’s economic future.

    Compared to other African countries where there is only one Dis- co, Nigeria with 11 Discos is quite unique. Is this an advantage or a challenge, looking at it from business as well as user’s perspectives?

    This is a question I receive quite often, and it’s an important one. The structure of Nigeria’s power sector, with 11 independently operated Discos, is indeed a unique outcome of the country’s privatization process. Globally, electricity is often considered a matter of nation- al security and is rarely left entirely in private hands. However, Nigeria chose to pursue a more decentralized approach, and while it’s unconventional, it also presents an opportunity for innovation, if managed correctly. On the positive side, this model offers several potential advantages including regional specialization, innovation hubs and healthy competition. Nigeria is a complex, diverse nation. A decentralized system allows for tailored strategies, localized infrastructure development, and region-specific customer service models. Also, with multiple Discos, there is room to test and pilot new ideas locally before scaling them nationally. What works in Lagos, for instance, can inform improvements in other regions. Besides, the presence of multiple players can foster competition, which, when properly regulated, may drive service improvements and innovation. However, the model is not without its challenges, including fragmentation and silos, service inequity and grid instability. The Discos often operate in- dependently, with little alignment in strategy or investment. This creates a patchwork of progress where nation- al stability becomes dependent on all 11 performing optimally; an unlikely scenario under current conditions. Also, tariffs vary significantly across regions, and so does service quality. Some customers enjoy a more reliable supply at lower costs, while others face persistent outages and estimated billing. And, without coordinated planning and harmonized technical standards, the national grid remains vulnerable to system collapses, load rejection, and frequency imbalances.

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    So, is it an advantage or a disadvantage? The answer is nuanced. The structure could be an asset, and the data suggests it holds potential, but in its current form, it presents significant operational and systemic challenges. This is precisely where technology becomes essential. I believe that smart grid systems, real-time data, and inte- grated commercial management plat- forms, can bring order, efficiency, and coordination to a fragmented sector. For policymakers and investors, this is a moment to rethink how decentral- ization can be transformed from a lia- bility into a strategic strength, with the right tools and partners in place.

    Looking back at your time at EKEDC, what were your experiences like?

    Reflecting on my 11-year journey at EKEDC, including my time at WPG, I remain deeply grateful for the professional opportunities, leadership support, and strong team culture that shaped my experience. Serving as Chief Information Officer was both a privilege and a transformative ex- perience. I’m proud of the legacy we built and the progress we achieved as a team.

    One of the most significant chal- lenges I encountered was steering the organization through digital trans- formation in a post-privatization era. When the Discos were handed over to private entities, the IT landscape was almost nonexistent, limited primarily to billing and prepaid departments. There were no integrated systems, minimal data visibility, and manual processes that hindered efficiency and growth.

    With the backing of the Board and Executive Management, I led the de- velopment of a comprehensive 10year digital transformation roadmap. This initiative reimagined EKEDC’s operations from the ground up, spanning customer service, commercial operations, metering, and network management.

    The cornerstone of this journey was the successful deployment of the Min- sait´s Onesait Customer Management System, a modern, end-to-end platform that will redefine how EKEDC engages with its customers, manages revenue, and operates commercially. This is not just a technical upgrade, but a strategic shift. One that lays down the foundation for data-driven decision-making and operational ex- cellence.

    Leading this transformation taught me that real progress in the Nigerian power sector requires not just infrastructure but also a bold vision, cross-functional collaboration, and trusted partners who understand the unique challenges of the market. I’m honoured to have played a part in EKEDC’s evolution and look forward to helping other Discos, investors, and stakeholders replicate and scale this success across the industry.

    Talking about Onesait Customers, tell us more about this and how this could revolutionise the electricity industry?

    The Onesait Customers platform, developed by Minsait (an Indra com- pany), is a comprehensive commer- cial management system designed specifically for utility companies. At EKEDC, we implemented this solu- tion to modernize and integrate our entire commercial cycle, from custom- er acquisition to revenue collection.

    Thanks to Onesait Customers, EKEDC now has a fully digitized and automated ecosystem that covers every step of the commercial process: contract initiation, meter installation and configuration, consumption data capture, billing, collections, customer service, and complaint resolution. All of this is managed on a single plat- form, giving them real-time visibili- ty, operational efficiency, and greater transparency.

    Beyond automation, the real value of the system lies in its data-driven capabilities. It enables EKEDC to process and analyze large volumes of consumption and behavioral data, which in turn will improve billing accuracy, reduces losses, enhances service de- livery, and help EKEDC better under- stand and serve her customers.

    The implementation of Onesait Customers has been a significant milestone in their digital transforma- tion journey. One that sets the stage for smarter energy management and paves the way for more advanced technologies such as outage management system, meter data manage- ment, Enterprise asset management, distribution management system, SCADA and AI-powered customer insights.

    It also demonstrates the value of working with experienced technology partners who not only understand the global utility space but can also adapt solutions to local realities.

    Choosing a technology partner for a transformation of this scale is not a decision we took lightly. We needed a solution that was not only robust and scalable but also tailored to the unique challenges of the African energy sector. Minsait’s Onesait Customers stood out as a best-in-class, all-in-one commercial management platform fully capable of supporting EKEDC’s diverse business processes across prepaid, postpaid, and large customer segments.

    What set Minsait apart was the proven maturity of their solution. Recognized by top industry analysts such as Gartner and IDC, Onesait Customers is already deployed in 14 countries across Africa and supports more than 20 million customers on the continent. That gave us confidence in its reliability and performance in real-world con- ditions similar to ours.

    In addition to its technical capabilities, Minsait demonstrated a deep understanding of end-to-end utility operations, from generation and transmission to distribution and retail. That level of business insight is rare among technology vendors, and it’s especially valuable in markets like Nigeria, where utilities face both operational and regulatory complexities. Equally important was Minsait’s long-standing commitment to Africa. The company has been working on the continent since 1995 and has steadily built a strong regional presence, including a dedicated Support and Maintenance Center in Nairobi with over 80 consultants. This local footprint gives us confidence in ongo- ing support and knowledge transfer.

    Two critical factors in sustaining any digital transformation.

    Ultimately, our choice of Minsait reflects our vision: to partner with or- ganizations that not only bring world- class technology but also a long-term commitment to building capacity and driving impact across Africa’s power sector. Their track record, regional expertise, and shared ambition made them the right partner for EKEDC and potentially for other DISCOs across Nigeria.

    Some of the objectives that drove the tech- nological change were im- proved customers’ relationship and cost management. What have been the results?

    Absolutely. One of the most signifi- cant outcomes of implementing Min- sait’s Onesait Customers solution has been the transformation of how they engage with our customers.

    The platform enables 24/7 access through mobile applications and web portals, empowering customers to carry out transactions, track consump- tion, and resolve queries anytime, from anywhere, and has significantly enhanced customer satisfaction.

    From a revenue perspective, the prepaid functionality and integrat- ed mobile payment options, have streamlined the collection process and reduced the burden of manual transactions. The solution has im- proved transparency, and it is expect- ed to, with time, to reduce complaints around estimated billing.

    For us, it wasn’t just about deploying technology; it was about redefining the customer experience. And thanks to this solution, they are well on their way. We believe that customer-centric digital transformation is not only pos- sible in Nigeria, it’s essential.

    Can the case of EKEDC be extrapo- lated to the rest of the DISCOs?

    Absolutely. The challenges faced by EKEDC are common across all 11 Nigerian DISCOs. Despite the 2013 privatization, major investment is still needed in distribution infrastructure to serve Nigeria’s population of over 200 million. DISCOs continue to face systemic issues like aging and poorly maintained networks, low meter penetration, electricity theft, delayed bill payments, inadequate customer data and limited rural access. According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Aggregate Technical, Commercial, and Collection (ATC&C) losses remain high, averaging 35.22 per cent in fourth quarter 2024, with 16.34 per cent technical commercial losses and 22.56 per cent collection losses. This level of loss is unsustainable. EKEDC’s adoption of the Onesait Customer Management System offers a model for the others. The capabilities can directly address Discos’ shared commercial challenges. While regional differences exist, the EKEDC case demonstrates that digital solutions like Onesait are scalable and can significantly improve efficiency, financial health, and customer service across the entire sector.

  • Edo IPP and the dilemma of electricity consumers

    Edo IPP and the dilemma of electricity consumers

    The shutdown of Edo State’s first Independent Power Project (IPP) on September 1 signaled the breakdown of the romance between the Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC) and its Nigeria’s partner, Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company (OPIC). They are at loggerheads over who owns the Ossiomo Power Plant that generates 95MW of electricity. OSAGIE OTABOR reports on the intrigues and power play.

    Mr Kokobi Igbinovia owns several hotels in Benin-City, the Edo State capital. In 2022, he disconnected from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) due to poor power supply and switched over to the Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company (OPIC). Igbinovia described the power supply from Ossiomo as reliable.

    However, on September 1 2025, Ossiomo Power was shut down without any form of explanation to its numerous customers. Igbinovia said he has spent a huge amount of money on the purchase of diesel since the shutdown of Ossiomo Power.

    Igbinovia is among many electricity consumers waiting for Ossiomo Power to restore electricity to its customers. But they are caught in a web of power play.

    In 2018, Governor Godwin Obaseki, former governor of the state, made a move to break the monopoly of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in power distribution in Edo State due to public complaints concerning epileptic power supply. At that time, the BEDC had the sole licence to distribute electricity in the entire state.

    Obaseki entered a willing-buyer-willing seller agreement as encouragement for the Ossiomo Power Company to begin construction of a 55MW Independent Power Plant in Ologbo.

    Ossiomo Powers, owned by Uwagboe Igiehon, turned to the Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC) for funding and installation of the power plant. The two firms entered a joint venture agreement and the CCETC Ossiomo Power Company (COPC) was registered. The power plant was completed in 2019, and the first 5MW was delivered in June of that year.

    The Edo State Government was to purchase the first 5MW, but the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) refused Ossiomo to use its facility for electricity distribution.

    To overcome the BEDC hurdles, Governor Obaseki imported equipment for the construction of transmission lines and the building of a substation to deliver the power from Ologbo to Benin City.

    “The first 5MW would be delivered to light up government offices and street lights within the Sapele Road corridor of Benin-City.

    “The ordinary Edo people will benefit from this power arrangement because there is an arrangement to drop power in certain processing centres where artisans can move into and do their businesses with the assurance of a steady power supply,” Obaseki said.

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    It was gathered that the Edo State Government under Obaseki paid N500 million monthly for the power Ossiomio supplied to its 11kva substation. The power was extended to all government agencies, including some Federal Government institutions.

    Several private individuals, hotels and institutions connected to the Ossiomo Power through the 11kva. Besides the 11kVA, Ossiomo Power extended electricity through another 33kVA line.

    A silent, controversial issue was, however, the shares of Edo State in the Ossiomo Power Plant.

    Problems were said to begin for Ossiomo Power when, upon assumption of duty, Governor Monday Okpebholo discovered that Edo State had no supposed five per cent shares in Ossiomo Power but was committing monthly payment.

    He rejected the N500 million monthly bills and asked all federal agencies to be disconnected from the 11kva line, as well as the Edo State Government House. Other government buildings, the streetlights, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Edo Specialist Hospital, health centres and others were left on the line, and the government’s wage bill on electricity was reduced to less than N200 million monthly, even as it paid additional N48 million monthly to the BEDC.

    On September 1, the Chinese partners shut down the power supply and customers of Ossiomo Power were plunged into darkness. Sources said the CCETC’s action was backed by some powerful interests.

    Five days after the blackout from Ossiomo Power without any information or explanation, the Edo State Government denied being the cause of the blackout, saying it was an internal squabble between two business partners.

    It said it had no shares in the firm and reconnected its 11kva transformer to the BEDC. It held a stakeholders’ meeting with Ossiomo customers connected through the 11kva line and explained why they need to move to the BEDC. Over 115 Ossiomo customers indicated interest in reconnecting to the BEDC.

    Explaining why it shut down the firm, the CCETC said its Nigerian partner, Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company, owned by Dr Uwa Igiehon, violated its joint venture agreement, which metamorphosed into the CCETC Ossiomo Power Company Limited (COPC), which was registered in 2018.

    A Director of CCETC, who identified himself as Mr Wi, said the share equity was 25 per cent for Dr Uwa and 75 per cent for CCETC. The Director stated that the agreement was that monies paid by subscribers be paid into the COPC account as contained in the Joint Venture Agreement. He said monies were rather paid into the Ossiomo E-Technology account, another company registered by Dr Uwa.

    “We came to Edo State in 2018, and we signed the joint venture agreement with the local partner, Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure. The equity was 25 per cent and 75 per cent. The 25 per cent is from Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure, and its equity is for the land and licences. They did not bring any money.

    “All the $20 million investment, including the distribution lines, was carried out by us. The distribution lines were built by COPC, but the loan is from CCETC. From the start of operation, they have not paid the loan and the interest. COPC paid some interest but could not cover the loan.

    “Our partner, Dr Uwa, connected some customers along our 33kva lines and the customers paid to the account of Ossiomo E-Technology Company and not to the COPC account. The E-technology is from Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company. COPC paid the gas fee, and the power fee did not come to the COPC account.

    “The customers did not pay into the COPC account. The E-Tech Company will collect N100 million and pay N50 million into the COPC account. COPC is generating all the power but has no agreement with the customers using the power. The customers did not pay into the COPC account, which is wrong. We requested the local shareholder to transfer all the customers to the COPC and change the account for collecting payments to the COPC.

    “The instruction to shut down was because we were losing a lot of money and did not get any return on investment. We did not collect enough payment from the customers, and the power was already going to the customers. We do not know the customers using our power, because they were not cooperating with us,” he said.

    In the interest of the Edo State Government, Mr Wi said the state government brought nothing.

    “The Edo State Government did not pay anything. They are our customers because we supply power to them. It is no problem for our customers to go back to the BEDC. This issue did not emanate from the customers. It is an internal issue.  We didn’t want to shut down the power plant, but I do not know where the power we generate goes. I don’t know the customers. They only listen to Dr Uwa, and Dr Uwa tells everybody that it is his power plant.  I cannot verify the customers to know how many kilowatts they have used already.

    “Uwa did not invest cash. It is a 100 per cent investment by the CCETC. Under the Joint Venture agreement, Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company is a shareholder of COPC with 25 per cent. We have lost a lot of money. We generate over four million kilowatts per month, but we collect payment for less than two million kilowatts.

    “The Edo State Government has not made full payment. The Ologbo Community is using our power without paying for it. The outstanding debt owed to us by the state government is over N1.4 billion. The community was connected by Dr Uwa. We don’t have any agreement with the community and other customers who are connected to Dr Uwa. I don’t know the communities that use the power that we generate. How do we generate over four million without enough payment?” Wi said.

    However, the management of Ossiomo Powers said its Chinese partners were not co-owners of the power firm but its contractor.

    The Deputy General Manager of the company, Francis Ekwe, insisted that Ossiomo Power remained the sole owner of the power-generating plant, the transmission network and associated gas infrastructure tied to the project at Ologbo in Edo State.

    Ekwe said the contract executed by the CCETC in 2018 for the supply and installation of engines for the Independent Power Project (IPP1) does not transfer or confer ownership of any facilities to the Chinese.

    Ekwe said Ossiomo Power held exclusive rights to the gas infrastructure and power facilities since 2008 and backed by statutory licences as well as approvals for power generation and transmission within Edo State.

    He noted that recent moves by CCETC to assert ownership might be aimed at influencing state authorities and creating uncertainty around the operations of Ossiomo Power. He warned that any attempt to sideline an indigenous operator in favour of a foreign contractor could undermine Nigeria’s local content policy and pose risks to energy security in Edo State.

    In its bid to assert independence of the Chinese partner, Ossiomo Power bought four turbines and invited Pakistani Engineers. One of the turbines has started operation, and electricity has been restored to some customers on the 33kVA lines.

    At a meeting with its stakeholders recently, a representative of Ossiomo Power, Festus Evbuomwan, assured that other customers on the 33kva lines would get electricity within 10 days, but urged that customers on the 11kva lines of the state government would not get power.

    “I think it is the duty of every government to encourage the Nigerian citizens to invest and not to work against local investors.

    “What we’re trying to do is to clear the bias this government has towards us, with the belief that Obaseki has shares in Ossiomo. I want to make it clear that Obaseki has no dime in Ossiomo. So, they should do business with us.

    “We have purchased turbines, and one has started working; they are fixing the second one. So, by the time our five turbines start working, we will be at full capacity,” Evbuomwan said.

    Evbuomwan also dismissed claims of the CCETC, saying it has received over N2 billion in payments.

    He said the Nigerian partner was not aware of any $20 million loan from the Chinese government.

    Evbuomwan further explained that former Governor Obaseki showed goodwill to support the power firm by constructing the 11kva and the distribution lines through which it extended electricity to whomever it deemed fit.

    “The Chinese partner also claimed that they borrowed $20 million from their native land to invest. We are not aware of such investment and we do not know where the money was invested until now.

    “They have also been saying that they have not been receiving anything. First, the partners run a joint account where their investment is going.

    “The Chinese partners have received over N2 billion so far for the power they generate with their machines. When they generate the power, we sell and pay them.

    “A day after they brought a written request for N185 million to pay two Chinese who are not even in Edo State and N18 million to pay the Nigerian members of staff, they shut down the plant. But, this was opposed. So, we do not know at what point they sold power to us and we did not pay,” he said.

    Access to electricity by some subscribers of Ossiomo Power, such as the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), is now dependent on Governor Okpebholo’s approval of the use of the 11kVA lines.

    Moreover, Mr. Kokobi Igbinovia and other subscribers have said they do not trust the BEDC on adequate power supply. They have said they would remain with the Ossiomo Power.

  • Grid collapse throws 36 states, FCT into darkness

    Grid collapse throws 36 states, FCT into darkness

    Thirty-six states of the federation and parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were thrown into darkness yesterday as the national grid collapsed.

    Following the data on the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) website at 11:25 hours, only Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) received only 20MW from the national grid.

    On a good day, AEDC gets over 600Mw allocation but owing to the paucity of supply yesterday, more than 90per cent of the nation’s capital was plunged into darkness.

    The AEDC also supplies Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger.

    Since the grid was under restoration for several hours, the NISO data showed there was no supply to the other 10 DisCos until Ibadan DisCo received 40MW at 13:30 hours. It was an indication that the 36 states and parts of Abuja were affected for nearly two hours.

    The 11 DisCos received 995MW at 16:00hours as the grid restoration progressed.

    The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) recorded a grid disturbance because of a tripped GenCo at 11:25hours, according to NISO in a press statement.

    It added that at 11:25am the country was plunged to a dip supply record of 20MW that was sent to only the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

    In its restoration process, the supply crawled to 60MW because Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company received 40MW at 12:30 hours.

    But as The Nation revisited the NISO website at 16:00hours, the Distribution Load Profile of the website showed that the 11 DisCos had 995MW to boot as follows: Abuja DisCo 150MW; Benin DisCo 60MW; Eko DisCo 100MW; Enugu DisCo 120MW; Ibadan DisCo 100MW; Ikeja DisCo 120MW; Jos DisCo 20MW; Kaduna DisCo 95MW; Kano DisCo 90MW; Port Harcourt DisCo 50MW; and Yola DisCo 40MW.

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    From the NESI upstream, of the 26 GenCos connected to the national grid, the only four that were in operation at 16:00 hours produced 727MW while 22 recorded 0MW.

    Shiroro (hydro) generated 301.23MW; Omotosho (Gas) 30.60MW; Okapi (Gas and Steam) 217MW and Delta (Gas) 179MW.

    Meanwhile, the AEDC management notified its customers that the outage  in its franchise areas was due to loss of supply from the national grid.

    Although the NISO in a press statement described the situation as a grid disturbance from a tripped GenCo, it was silent on the name of the particular plant.

    The press statement reads in part: “The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) informs the general public that the national grid experienced a system disturbance at 11:20 hrs on 10/09/2025.

    “The disturbance was caused by the tripping of a GenCo, resulting in a significant load drop, which cascaded to other GenCos, leading to a system disturbance.

    “NISO immediately commenced restoration of the grid at 11:45 hrs, beginning with supply to Abuja from the Shiroro power plant, and substantial restoration has been achieved across the country. A full investigation into the immediate and remote causes is underway.

    “The outcome (s) of the investigation report would determine the remedial and proactive actions to

    be taken to forestall future occurrences.

     “We crave your indulgence to bear with us as restoration is still ongoing.”

  • ‘50% of electricity consumers unmetered in Southeast’ 

    ‘50% of electricity consumers unmetered in Southeast’ 

    National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said that a total of 691,639 customers are unmetered out of the 1,369,440 captured in the metering status of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

    Senior Manager, NERC, Abuja, Chinedu Anyiagor gave the statistics at the customer complaints resolution meeting held in Awka, Anambra state.

    Speaking while making his presentation, Anyiagor said while 704,801 customers are metered, 691,639 are yet to be metered representing 50 per cent of the population.

    “As at June 2025 metering update status, total customers are 1,369,440; number of metered ones are 704,801 while unmetered ones 691639, representing 50 percent of the entire figure,” he said.

    Head, Customer Protection, Dr Zubairu Babatunde said the meeting was an opportunity for the Commission to meditate between customers and service providers towards resolving electricity supply issues.

    “The commission came up with the initiative to relate with consumers in the presence of the operators with regards to electricity supply, including metering and billing, transformer and other issues.”

    “Being a business transaction, there are bound to be complains. But as a regulatory body and umpire, our duty is to mediate between the customers and service providers. We don’t want to sit down at the headquarters and assume all is well,” he assured.

    Managing Director, EEDC, Vincent Ekwekwu acknowledged challenges facing the power firm, assuring the company’s readiness to address them.

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    Ekwekwu, represented by Chief Information Officer, EEDC, Engr Idika Okechukwu solicited collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure improved quality service delivery to its customers across the zone.

    “EEDC is here to serve and not to fight. We’re here to listen, feel the pulse of our customers, to resolve their issues, as well as improve on the things we’ve not been doing well.

    “Our billing, metering and reconcilation team, as well as complaint resolution and operation team are on ground to assist. If you need your meter to be installed in 72hours, we’re ready for it,” he said.

    In his presentation, Group Head, Health, Safety & Environment, EEDC, Engr. Dr. Francis Iwu regretted absence of earthing mechanisms in many buildings in the region, which he said had claimed lives and property over the years.

    He also listed sighting of structures, water storage tank and shops under high tension wires, socket overload and other violations to power regulations as other factors posing dangers to consumers.

  • Consumers groan as Ossiomo Power collapses 

    Consumers groan as Ossiomo Power collapses 

    Electricity consumers in Benin City who are connected to the Ossiomo Power firm are lamenting losses due to four days blackout from the power firm.

    Ossiomo Power Plant is a 95MW power firm that is gas-fired and provided electricity to many firms, the Edo NUJ secretariat, state government buildings, streetlights, and some communities.

    It is jointly owned by the Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology and Ossiomo Powers & Infrastructure.

     One of the consumers, who operates a car wash, said his business has slowed down.

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    He said he used to wash over 20 cars daily but that no water to run his business. 

    Another consumer, Don Osehobo, said he lost N16,000 daily since the blackout.

    “Nobody buys drinks that are not cold. It is terrible.”

    A staff of Ossiomo Power, who pleaded anonymity, said engineers were working hard to restore power.

    Spokesman for the power firm who gave his name as Francis, said he was currently on annual leave.

  • Electricity workers decry exclusion in just energy transition plans

    Electricity workers decry exclusion in just energy transition plans

    Members of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have decried the exclusion of its members in the just transition plans cautioning that by their exclusion, the government is leaving behind a crucial segment of society.

    They made the observation at the Industrial Just Energy Transition Project which had as theme: Amplifying the Workers’ Charter of Demand on Just Energy Transition for Trade Unions in Nigeria.

    Welcoming participants at the event, General Secretary of NUEE, Comrade Dominic Igwebike said that electricity workers are not only crucial but are on the frontlines of the climate change impacts and effects.

    He said the topics for the engagement were deliberately chosen to galvanise the union members to action in ensuring that their voices are heard as the Nigerian government excalates its just energy transition programmes including the drive for green jobs.

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    Speaking on introducing the workers charter of demand with a gendered perspective, Remi Ihejirika of FES said that the charter developed through the collaboration among Nigeria trade unions namely -NUEE, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Employees (NUCFRLANMPE) with the support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nigeria and Mondial FNV in 2024/2025.

    The charter seeks to ensure that Nigeria’s transition from a carbon based to a low carbon economy is just, inclusive and equitable. It highlights gender mainstreaming as a core principle and addresses the socio-economic challenges faced by women and marginalized workers advocating for protection, empowerment and participation in green job creation and policy decision –making.

    It demands job security for those currently employed in fossil fuel sectors and the creation of new job opportunities in renewable energy with special focus on ensuring women’s inclusion through targeted recruitment and career development programmes.

    It equally recognizes that women workers often bear added vulnerabilities and advocates comprehensive social safety nets including unemployment benefits, income support and healthcare provisions adjusted for gender specific needs.

    In his presentation on Impact and Effect of Climate Change on Workers, Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative  (RDI) explained that in the discourse on climate change while the communities gather all the spotlight on impacts, little to nothing is mentioned about workers. In this category, he insisted that electricity workers are further upfront because they contend with the elements in the course of their work.

    He noted that while the production and distribution of electricity is reliant on variables such as temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and wind direction, climate induced storms, flooding, and sea-level rise threaten substations, pipelines, transmission towers, and coastal power plants. Combined,  these lead to stressed or volatile systems, damage to power lines, collapse of the grid and ultimately blackout.

    Electricity workers who are tasked with repair work face occupational Hazards such as exposure to the high and low temperature, Storms, Floods and even electrocution  leading to debilitation or death. They are also victims of displacement, financial distress, uncertainty as well as physical and mental health issues. These issues, according to him, are often under-reported.

    In a second presentation on Galvanizing the media for effective reportage of climate and workers, Jakpor charged the unionists to evolve strategies of engaging the media to amplify their concerns. He pointed out however that in creating content for advocacy they must also identify and recruit experts who understand the workings of the media and government to be able to craft the right message and make impact.

    He also advocated the use of the right media channels for communicating with the focus being largely on print and electronic to capture the attention of particular audiences and the online spaces to further amplify the message to younger or the borderless audience.