President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering reliable electricity supply across Nigeria, describing access to stable power as a democratic dividend that citizens deserve. In his Democracy Day address, the President said ongoing reforms are designed to address longstanding structural weaknesses that have limited performance in the electricity sector. He maintained that achieving reliable electricity supply remains central to economic growth, industrial development, and improved living standards nationwide.
Tinubu stated that when his administration assumed office in 2023, the power sector was confronted by multiple challenges that had accumulated over several years.
According to him, these included chronic shortfalls in electricity generation, unstable gas supply to power plants, and weaknesses within the national transmission network that prevented available electricity from reaching consumers.
He also noted that distribution companies faced significant financial pressures, while millions of electricity consumers remained without meters, contributing to inefficiencies across the sector. The President explained that these challenges affected the entire electricity value chain, limiting the sector’s ability to meet growing national demand.
Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria’s installed electricity generation capacity stood at approximately 13,500 megawatts but was not being fully utilised due to operational and structural constraints.
He said the sector was burdened by substantial legacy debt and persistent inefficiencies affecting generation, transmission, distribution, and revenue collection. According to the President, these weaknesses reduced service delivery and prevented the country from maximising available energy resources.
He further revealed that the metering gap exceeded four million customers, creating challenges for billing transparency and revenue recovery.
To address the challenges, Tinubu highlighted the signing of the Electricity Act, describing it as a major reform intended to decentralise the sector. The law now permits states to independently generate, transmit, and distribute electricity within their jurisdictions.
According to the President, the reform is expected to encourage greater investment, improve efficiency, and create more flexible electricity markets across the country. Tinubu also disclosed that the Presidential Power Sector Task Force has been mandated to tackle the metering deficit and strengthen sector performance.
He added that plans are underway to raise a N4 trillion bond aimed at settling verified legacy debts within the electricity industry. The President said resolving these financial obligations would improve liquidity and support sustainable operations across the sector.
Tinubu further highlighted efforts by the Rural Electrification Agency to expand access to electricity in underserved communities. According to him, the agency is working in partnership with the World Bank and the African Development Bank to implement off-grid and mini-grid projects.
The projects are targeted at schools, healthcare facilities, markets, and rural communities that have limited access to the national grid. He noted that expanding access through alternative energy solutions remains an important component of the government’s broader electricity strategy.
The President stressed that electricity remains a critical driver of economic activity, industrial productivity, and social development.
He reiterated that providing reliable electricity supply is a responsibility his administration takes seriously and pledged continued efforts to improve service delivery across the country. Tinubu’s remarks also align with a commitment he made during the 2023 election campaign, when he stated that Nigerians should not re-elect him in 2027 if his administration failed to achieve stable electricity supply.
President Tinubu’s Democracy Day address placed renewed emphasis on the goal of achieving reliable electricity supply through legislative reforms, debt resolution, metering improvements, and expanded rural electrification initiatives. The administration says these measures are intended to address longstanding sector challenges and improve access to power for households and businesses nationwide.
