Tinubu committed to power sector reform, says Shettima at NELMCO HQ commissioning

By Ejire Folakunmi

The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, has said the administration of Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains determined to reform and strengthen Nigeria’s power sector.

He noted that while the promise of every nation rests on its resources, Nigeria cannot afford to gamble with energy security.

The Vice President, who spoke on Thursday in Abuja while commissioning the new head office of the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) in Asokoro District, said the administration’s goals require a commitment to data-driven decision-making, intelligent use of technology in asset management, and stronger partnerships with both local and international stakeholders.

“Above all, it requires that governance, transparency, and accountability remain the guiding principles of this institution. This is why the commissioning of this headquarters must symbolise a new phase of modernisation, efficiency, and forward-thinking leadership.

“This administration remains resolute in its commitment to reform and strengthen the power sector. Permit me to commend the Board, Management, and staff of NELMCO for your dedication. Yours is a task that often goes unnoticed, yet it is foundational to everything we seek to achieve in this sector. You are, in many ways, the custodians of the sector’s credibility,” he said.

Underscoring the crucial role of NELMCO in the power sector, Sen. Shettima said the company represents the nation’s commitment to confronting “the burdens of yesterday so they do not mortgage the possibilities of tomorrow.”

He added that the power sector remains central to the Tinubu administration’s understanding that energy security is the foundation upon which national progress must stand.

The Vice President said Nigeria is counting on NELMCO to restore confidence within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

This, he noted, aligns with the broader agenda of Pres. Tinubu, to reposition the energy sector as a commercially viable and investment-ready space.

VP Shettima expressed confidence that the new NELMCO headquarters would breathe a new lease of life into the institution and strengthen its operations.

“Whatever we do in investing in the capacity to solve problems that are often invisible but always consequential cannot reasonably be said to be enough unless we provide lasting solutions to these legacy challenges,” he added.

He called on private sector players and the international community to invest in Nigeria’s power sector, reaffirming that the country remains open for business.

“We are committed to creating a transparent, predictable, and investor-friendly environment. Institutions like NELMCO demonstrate that we are not only serious about reform, but capable of sustaining it,” he said.

Earlier, Vice Chairman of the NELMCO Board and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, said a stable power sector, which NELMCO is working to achieve, will positively impact SMEs and support Nigeria’s economic growth.

He noted that Pres. Tinubu remains focused on transforming the power sector through several initiatives and policies, including the recent establishment of the Grid Asset Management Company (GAMCO), which addresses critical aspects of the sector.

Also, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the new edifice demonstrates the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen power sector liquidity while enabling NELMCO to efficiently manage identified legacy liabilities.

He stressed that the decentralisation and liberalisation of the power sector are anchored on the Electricity Act signed into law by Pres. Tinubu, a legislation that allows the 36 states to participate actively in electricity generation and distribution.

On his part, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, represented by Sen. Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, said the new head office will save government funds previously spent on rent, underscoring the administration’s commitment to efficiency.

He added that the National Assembly remains committed to supporting NELMCO and other agencies with the necessary framework to deliver on their mandates.

Also, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NELMCO, Mrs. Mojoyinoluwa Dekalu-Thomas, said the company now serves as a clearing house for legacy debt.

She disclosed that the agency has moved beyond debt settlement and has generated revenue in excess of N30bn for the Federal Government.

Stanley Nkwocha
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications
(Office of the Vice President)
March 26, 2026