Alhaji Abubakar Atiku-Tambuwal, the former head of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, recently stated that Nigeria must prioritize merit-based hiring and steady policy implementation to overcome its electricity sector struggles. Speaking in Abuja, he emphasized that professional competence should outweigh political influence when selecting leaders for the industry.
Tambuwal argued that the sector has long suffered from inconsistent leadership and poor policy execution. He identified corruption, weak institutional oversight, and a lack of transparency during the initial privatization process as significant obstacles. He urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to hold operators strictly accountable to their mandates.
To achieve a reliable power supply, Tambuwal called for a unified strategy that connects generation, transmission, and distribution, warning that treating these segments as independent silos leads to total system failure. He also highlighted the importance of state government involvement and private sector partnerships following recent regulatory changes.
Regarding infrastructure, the former executive noted that TCN remains the essential backbone of the national grid. He welcomed the ongoing restructuring of the company into distinct service and system operation entities but urged the government to finalize these reforms. Ultimately, Tambuwal believes that success hinges on a clear roadmap, modernized grid technology, increased investment in renewables, and long-term commitment to economic stability.
