President Bola Tinubu’s electricity reforms have sparked fresh debate ahead of the 2027 elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended the administration’s record. However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says Nigerians are yet to enjoy reliable electricity.
Meanwhile, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has made a major campaign pledge. He promised at least 10,000 megawatts (MW) if elected president.
Former Power Minister, Prof. Bart Nnaji, has also weighed in. He believes Nigeria needs at least 100,000MW to achieve significant economic growth.
APC Defends Tinubu’s Electricity Reforms
The APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) defended Tinubu’s performance. Its spokesperson, Dele Alake, is also the Minister of Solid Minerals.
Alake urged Nigerians to consider the President’s full campaign promise. Tinubu made the pledge ahead of the 2023 election.
He promised that Nigerians would enjoy electricity and stop paying estimated bills. He also challenged voters not to re-elect him if he failed to deliver. However, he added that they should first hear his explanation.
Alake said the administration was still addressing longstanding problems. He also highlighted several reforms introduced since Tinubu assumed office.
According to him, Tinubu signed the Electricity Act 2023 on June 9. The law allows state governments to participate in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
Alake listed Lagos, Enugu, Abia, Ekiti, Oyo, Kaduna and Niger. He said these states had established electricity regulatory agencies.
The council also said the Federal Government had taken responsibility for over ₦6 trillion in legacy debts. These liabilities accumulated between 2015 and 2025.
On metering, Alake reported progress under the Presidential Metering Initiative. He said more than 1.5 million customers had received meters in three years.
Government Cites ₦4tr Bond, Grid Projects
Alake said the government introduced a ₦4 trillion bond programme. The initiative aims to settle verified debts owed to power generation and gas companies.
He disclosed that the first two tranches raised over ₦1.2 trillion. The funds were used to settle part of the outstanding liabilities.
According to the council, the intervention should reduce risks in the electricity market. It also expects the programme to encourage fresh investment.
Alake cited Geregu Power Plc as an example. He said the company invested in new transformers at its Geregu 1 Power Plant.
On transmission, he said the administration reviewed the Presidential Power Initiative. The programme was inherited from former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Tinubu also signed an acceleration agreement with German partners in December 2023. The agreement aims to speed up projects that will strengthen the national grid.
The Federal Executive Council approved upgrades to five transmission substations in December 2024. Another approval followed in June 2026.
That second approval covered eight new substations. It also included upgrades to four existing facilities.
Other projects include plans to modernise the Osogbo Grid Control Centre. The government also plans to construct an East-West super grid.
The council further highlighted solar power projects. These projects connect universities, hospitals and rural communities through the Rural Electrification Agency.
Alake also defended the introduction of different electricity service bands. He said the system would improve market liquidity and reduce subsidy costs.
Atiku Says Reforms Have Not Delivered Reliable Power
Atiku rejected the APC’s defence of the administration. He argued that legislation and financial programmes cannot replace reliable electricity.
Phrank Shaibu issued the statement on his behalf. Shaibu is the Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Atiku said households and businesses still struggle with poor electricity supply.
“The APC should spare Nigerians the spectacle of celebrating paperwork while homes and businesses remain in darkness,” he said.
He added that families were spending scarce resources on alternative power sources. Small businesses also face rising operating costs.
The former vice president criticised the electricity tariff structure. The system divides consumers into Bands A, B, C, D and E.
According to him, customers across the categories still experience unreliable supply. This continues despite the different rates they pay.
Atiku specifically questioned the approximately ₦209.50 per kilowatt-hour charged to some Band A customers. He noted that the figure excludes Value Added Tax (VAT).
He asked why consumers should pay higher tariffs without better electricity supply.
Atiku also demanded clarification on the planned removal of electricity subsidies. The Federal Government is expected to discontinue the subsidies from 2027.
He questioned how the decision would affect household and business bills. This followed government assurances against an immediate tariff increase.
The ADC campaign council said Atiku would introduce a different framework. His proposal involves working with state governments and regulators.
The framework would replace the existing band system. It would also promote fairer tariffs and greater transparency.
Atiku said the system should protect consumers. He also called for stronger accountability from electricity distribution companies.
Atiku Questions Tinubu’s 2023 Electricity Promise
Atiku recalled Tinubu’s campaign pledge ahead of the 2023 election.
He quoted the President as saying: “If I don’t give you constant electricity for four years, when I come back for a second term, don’t vote for me.”
The former vice president said Nigerians should assess the promise. He argued that the administration had now completed the period covered by the pledge.
Atiku also questioned the impact of the ₦4 trillion bond programme. He insisted that settling old debts does not create new generation infrastructure.
He further claimed that Tinubu’s administration had not built new infrastructure. According to him, existing projects have not significantly increased electricity generation.
“Paying old debts is not the same as building new power infrastructure. Bonds cannot be presented as a substitute for power in people’s homes,” he said.
Atiku raised concerns about VAT on electricity. He also questioned a proposed five per cent surcharge on certain fossil fuels.
The proposed surcharge covers products such as petrol and diesel. It forms part of the Nigeria Tax Act.
He said Nigerians deserved clear information about the potential impact. The measures could increase energy costs for households and businesses.
Obi Pledges 10,000MW Electricity Supply
Meanwhile, Peter Obi has promised at least 10,000MW of electricity. He said his administration would generate, transmit and distribute the power.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate spoke in Enugu. He made the pledge during a town hall meeting.
Obi identified electricity as a major priority. He argued that reliable power would support industries and create jobs.
“As I promised, we will generate, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity, because we want industrial work,” Obi said.
He also promised to declare emergencies in education and the fight against corruption.
Other commitments include better access to primary healthcare. He also pledged greater transparency and accountability in public spending.
Obi urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country. He described the 2027 election as an opportunity to address national challenges.
Nnaji Says Nigeria Needs 100,000MW
Former Power Minister Prof. Bart Nnaji also assessed Nigeria’s electricity needs. He said the country requires at least 100,000MW for significant economic growth.
Nnaji spoke at the Lagos Country Club Business Forum 3.0. The event took place in Ikeja, Lagos.
Its theme focused on energy costs and business survival. The discussion centred on Nigeria’s power crisis.
Nnaji said Nigeria had the capacity to generate about 13,000MW. However, only 4,000MW to 5,000MW was available on the national grid.
He blamed the shortfall partly on weak transmission infrastructure.
“Nigeria needs at least 100,000MW to become a higher-medium economy. This is my figure by looking at countries that we like to compare notes with, such as Brazil and Indonesia,” he said.
The former minister also identified problems with the 2013 power sector privatisation. Other challenges include government debts and inadequate gas supply.
He further cited the lack of investment guarantees. Nnaji argued that these problems had weakened the sector.
According to him, some investors focused on immediate profits. They did not prioritise long-term industry development.
“The strong desire for immediate and humongous profits from the sector led to the enormous abuses the nation witnessed during the privatisation of Power Holding Company of Nigeria assets in 2013,” he said.
Stakeholders Call for Investment, Accountability
Lagos Country Club President Seyi Adewunmi also addressed the power crisis. He called for improved gas supply and stronger infrastructure.
Adewunmi stressed the need to maintain existing power plants. He also recommended investment in different energy sources.
These include gas-fired, hydroelectric and renewable energy projects.
He called for more investment in transmission and distribution. This includes power lines, substations and transformers.
Adewunmi also supported decentralised electricity solutions. He cited the Aba Integrated Power Project as an example.
The club president called for better metering and transparent tariffs. He also urged stronger action against electricity theft.
He said subsidies for vulnerable Nigerians should be properly targeted. Their funding must also remain transparent.
Adewunmi urged government agencies, regulators and financial institutions to work together. Energy companies must also play their part in addressing the crisis.
“For the true measure of power sector reform is not the megawatts announced in speeches, but the reliable electricity delivered to our factories, our offices and our homes,” he said.
