Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, stated that distributed renewable energy offers the most efficient route for Nigeria to overcome its ongoing electricity supply issues and stimulate economic development. Speaking in Lagos, Aliyu asserted that the country’s industrial success depends on the creation of stable and affordable power networks.
Aliyu advocated for a diversified power strategy, arguing that the nation should integrate the national grid, gas, hydropower, solar, and storage technologies. He highlighted that while residential mini-grids improve living standards, those supporting industrial hubs like rice mills and clinics are vital for economic expansion.
Meanwhile, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe remarked that fixing the electricity sector is a long-term endeavor, noting that systemic decay over decades cannot be fixed instantly. He attributed the current crisis primarily to governance and commercial failings, rather than technical flaws. Tegbe pointed to the Electricity Act as a key legislative shift, as it now grants state governments the authority to generate, transmit, and regulate their own power supplies.
