Power sector: NSE calls for holistic power sector reforms
Bode Akinbode, Ibadan
The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, has called for a holistic approach to addressing challenges in Nigeria’s power sector, citing the need for coordinated reforms across policy, investment and technical operations.
Rabiu made the call during a webinar organised by the NSE Board of Fellows, themed “Rebooting Nigeria’s Power Sector for Sustainable Development: The Role of Nigerian Engineers.”
He said the sector’s challenges are rooted in long-standing structural and political issues, which have affected performance and reliability over the years.
“The politics of energy encompasses a myriad of complex issues, including policy formulation, regulation, investment and international relations,” Rabiu said. “It is intertwined with socioeconomic dynamics, environmental considerations and geopolitical realities.”
He added that addressing these challenges requires “a holistic approach that embraces innovation, collaboration and visionary leadership.”
Nigeria’s power sector has faced persistent difficulties since the privatisation of generation and distribution companies in 2013. Despite reforms, electricity supply remains inconsistent, with frequent grid collapses, low generation capacity and infrastructure constraints affecting households and industries.
Rabiu described electricity as critical to economic growth, noting that reliable power supply is essential for industrialisation and development.
“The topic of this webinar addresses one of our country’s most pressing challenges — power, the backbone of industrialisation and a catalyst for growth across all vital sectors,” he said.
He said engineers are ready to support the Federal Government in strengthening institutional frameworks and ensuring effective management of agencies within the sector.
“We will also support policies that ensure reliable electricity supply, recognising that national development depends on it,” Rabiu added.
Also speaking, Meyen Etukudo, Special Adviser on Energy to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, said Nigeria’s heavy reliance on thermal power generation poses environmental and economic risks.
He noted that most of the country’s power plants depend on gas, which contributes to pollution and limits sustainability.
“The power sector faces significant challenges, particularly due to heavy reliance on thermal generation, which is both polluting and unsustainable,” Etukudo said.
He called for a transition to a more balanced energy mix, including renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydropower.
“Nigeria’s abundant sunlight and tropical climate make solar energy a viable option,” he said, urging engineers to take advantage of the opportunity to drive innovation and build local capacity.
Etukudo also raised concerns about the limited role of Nigerian engineers in major power projects, noting that foreign experts and artisans often dominate critical areas.
“Nigerian engineers must seize this opportunity to drive innovation and capacity building,” he said, calling for greater involvement in project management, policy advisory and implementation.
He further urged engineers to engage in governance and policymaking, arguing that many of the sector’s problems are not only technical but also political.
“The problems in the power sector are not only technical but also political,” he said, adding that engineers should participate in decision-making processes to influence reforms.
Chairman of the NSE Board of Fellows, Kamila Maliki, also highlighted the role of engineers in driving reforms, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Stakeholders at the webinar said sustained investment, improved regulation and stronger local capacity would be critical to achieving reliable electricity supply and supporting Nigeria’s economic development.