Group lauds Tinubu’s power sector reforms, seeks more funding

The Network of Advocacy for Positive Impact Initiative (NAPII) has hailed the Federal Government for the significant and visible reforms in the electricity sector under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The organisation said the sector is experiencing meaningful transformation for the first time in years.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, NAPII Executive Director Comrade Williams Bassey acknowledged that the economic reforms introduced by the administration have placed considerable pressure on Nigerians but stressed that the measures were necessary to revive an economy that was in a critical state when President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.

He highlighted key interventions such as adjustments to petrol pump prices, the introduction of student loan schemes to ease challenges in the education sector, increased attention to national security, and the upward review of pension payments as steps that have helped stabilise important sectors of the economy.

According to him, the electricity sector stands out as the area where the administration’s reforms have been most pronounced and impactful.

Bassey recalled that in the past, the sector consumed hundreds of millions of dollars with little to show for it, despite several probes by the National Assembly.

 “Historically, the power sector was characterized by corruption, inefficiency, and repeated national grid collapses

 “Today, however, we are pleased to note that those challenges are gradually being addressed,” Bassey said.

He explained that rather than merely criticising, the group conducted independent assessments of the sector, engaging members of the National Assembly, union leaders, and industry administrators, as well as visiting project sites to verify ongoing reforms.

He said the group inspected five facilities within the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding areas, including the Lugbe, Katampe, Lokogoma, and Kubwa main substations, as well as the Gwagwalada transmission line.

The visits, Bassey said,  revealed extensive upgrades, such as overhauls of transmission lines, construction of new substations, installation of modern transformers, and delivery of critical equipment including circuit breakers and spare parts.

 “These developments reinforce the hope that national grid collapse will soon be a thing of the past,” he stated, noting that a stable electricity supply is crucial to national development and economic transformation.

Bassey commended President Tinubu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, for their foresight, professionalism, and effective leadership in the sector.

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He also praised the deployment of digital technologies, particularly the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, describing the transition from analogue to digital operations as a major boost to grid visibility, stability, and efficiency.

According to him, more than 90 transformers have been installed within the FCT alone, while at least 175 new substations are being added nationwide, contributing to an increase in electricity generation and transmission to about 5,800 megawatts.

To sustain the momentum, he urged members of the National Assembly to review budgetary allocations for the power sector and ensure timely release of funds to support ongoing reforms.

 “As we approach 2026, we call on the Minister of Power and the management of TCN to sustain the current pace of reforms in the electricity sector,” Bassey said, specifically praising Engr. Abdulaziz for his role in tackling persistent grid collapse challenges.