- The Shocking Truth: Nigeria’s power generation is ridiculously low compared to other countries with similar populations.
- Jonathan’s Mistake: Privatizing power without fixing transmission was like building a car with no wheels.
- Electricity Theft: It’s a huge problem, but throwing money at it won’t solve anything without fixing the core issues.
- Tinubu’s Task: The new administration has a massive job on its hands to overhaul the power sector and get Nigeria out of the dark.
Nigeria vs. the World: A Power Generation Face-Off
Energy expert Nick Agule didn’t mince words in a recent interview. He pointed out the glaring disparities between Nigeria and other nations. We’re talking about a country that’s neck and neck with Brazil in population but generates a paltry 5,000 MW of electricity compared to Brazil’s whopping 150,000 MW! What’s going on?
Let’s break it down:
- South Africa: With a population of 65 million, they’re rocking 55,000 MW. That’s eleven times more than us!
- Brazil: Our population twin is blasting out 150,000 MW. It’s embarrassing!
- Qatar: This gas-rich nation with just 3 million people enjoys 8,000 MW. They’re living large while we’re sweating in the dark.
The Privatization Puzzle: What Went Wrong?
Agule throws it back to the Goodluck Jonathan era, highlighting a critical flaw in the privatization of the power sector. Imagine privatizing farms and markets but forgetting about the trucks to transport the goods. That’s what happened with our power grid!
The core issue? Transmission. It’s underfunded and neglected, like a vital artery that’s completely blocked. Without a functioning transmission system, all the power generation in the world won’t reach our homes and businesses.
Distribution Disaster: Licenses and Looting
But wait, there’s more! Agule didn’t hold back on the distribution companies either. Apparently, licenses were handed out to entities that were clearly not up to the task. We’re talking about companies with ridiculously low capital, lacking the expertise and technology needed to do the job.
The result? Rampant electricity theft! But Agule argues that simply throwing money at the problem won’t fix it. We need to modernize the distribution infrastructure, bury those cables, and invest in proper transformers and meters.
The Root of the Problem: Follow the Money
Here’s where it gets really juicy. Agule revealed some shocking details about the capital of these distribution companies. Brace yourself:
| Company | Share Capital |
|---|---|
| Some Distribution Companies | A measly 10 million naira (about $5,000 – $6,000)! |
| Combined Capital of 11 Distribution Companies | Less than 1 billion naira (around $500,000)! |
How can companies with such low capital be trusted to manage the distribution of electricity to entire states? It’s a recipe for disaster!
Tinubu’s To-Do List: A Call to Action
Agule has some clear advice for President Tinubu and his Power Minister: Forget about hiking tariffs! The real solution lies in fixing the transmission infrastructure. Expand capacity, bring the distribution companies to the table, and demand accountability.
He urges the president to call out the distribution companies for failing to meet their promises and for not investing in the sector. It’s time for a serious shake-up!
The Bottom Line: From Bad to Worse
Here’s the kicker: Back in 2013, before privatization, we had NEPA generating 6,000 to 7,000 MW. Now, with 46 different companies in the power sector, we’re down to 5,000 MW. We’ve gone backwards! And the Minister of Power wants us to pay for this mess? No way!