RENEWED HOPE FOR THE NESI; PROJECTIONS BASED ONJAGABAN’S PLANS FOR THEPOWER SECTOR

The power supply is a critical component for growth in every nation. While many developed
and developing countries have successfully implemented various electricity sector reforms
to grow their economies; Nigeria, thirteen decades after it commenced electricity
generation and supply , still struggles to provide a reliable power supply. The state of Nigeria’s
electricity supply has stifled transformational economic growth in the country.

The sector is bedeviled with many challenges, from lack of sufficient electricity generation to
infrastructural deficiency, technical, commercial, and collection losses (ATC & C loss), and
lack of funding for electricity projects.

Over time, successive Nigerian governments have deployed several strategies and
intervention programs to liberate the NESI. However, the numerous intervention programs
have proven to be largely ineffective and, in some cases, a waste of precious state resources
on unprofitable ventures in the NESI. These challenges persist despite the concerted efforts of
the government and the private sector.