Nigerians Want Results, not Rhetoric on Electricity – Power Commissioners Forum Chairman Backs Tinubu’s Decentralization Drive
The Chairman of the Power and Energy Commissioners’ Forum in Nigeria, Hon. Williams Eka, has said Nigerians are demanding results, not rhetoric, on electricity as he backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decentralization of the power sector as a bold and necessary reform
Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Abuja Power and Energy Correspondents, APEC, on Thursday. Eka, who is also the Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, said the President’s policy would unlock investment and improve access across states and communities.
“The President is taking bold steps that will transform the sector. This decentralization drive is the right way to go for Nigeria. The challenge of electricity should not be left to the Federal Government alone. Private individuals, corporate organizations, and state governments must collaborate by investing in 100kV, 500kV, and other capacities in small communities around them. The drive to provide power must be a concern for everyone,” he said.
The Chairman noted that strong leadership and open dialogue were beginning to strengthen confidence in the reforms, following a productive stakeholders’ meeting on the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 with the Minister of Power.
He said concerns raised by stakeholders were openly addressed, with the Minister pledging to work closely with regulators and other key players to ensure successful implementation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Eka disclosed that the Minister of Power had constituted a 9-man committee to review contentious issues in the Electricity Act 2023 and the decentralization of the electricity market, describing it as a strategic step toward a unified and robust energy sector.
“Nigerians are not interested in the calibre of people holding office; they are interested in reliable and affordable electricity,” he said, stressing that collaboration among stakeholders remains crucial to transforming the power sector.
The Commissioner acknowledged that power infrastructure is capital intensive with a long implementation period, and urged Nigerians to be patient as the full benefits of the administration’s efforts may not be immediate.
“Power Infrastructure is expensive. The fruits of the efforts being put in by the present administration might not be seen immediately, but with time, the impact will be felt by Nigerians,” Eka stressed.
On energy mix, he urged states and the private sector to begin with small-scale interventions, starting with a few megawatts in localized settings, harnessing renewable sources such as solar, biomass, and wind to expand access, especially off-grid.
The Chairman lauded state governments making deliberate efforts to power their environs and called on Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, to also invest in the power sector to help bridge the country’s energy gap.
Eka warned that suspicion and misunderstandings among stakeholders could slow reforms, and urged all parties to work together to deliver the reliable electricity supply Nigerians have long demanded.
“With shared responsibility between government, private sector, and citizens, Nigeria can achieve universal access to electricity,” he said.
