Power Sector Privatisation: FG Says No Going Back

As a means of solving Nigeria’s energy needs, the Federal Government has reiterated its resolve and openness to more private sector collaboration

The Minister for Power, Abubakar Aliyu, made this known at the ninth edition of the Nigeria Energy Conference held in Lagos on Tuesday.

In his opening address at the conference themed, “Affordable, Reliable and Sustainable Energy through Collaboration,” the minister represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Temitope Fashedemi, emphasised the need for the power sector to boost its access to energy through deeper collaborations with the private sector.

“Access to energy enhances the socio-economic development of human existence. Hence, Nigeria’s economic prosperity requires a higher energy capacity than what we currently have.

"Our unmet energy needs are huge and will increase due to factors such as rising population, urbanisation and others.

"Consequently, enabling policy, targeted infrastructural development, innovative financing options, and investments in Ene technologies are key.

“The answer to our needs is through collaborations. The solution to our energy access resides in the private sector,” he said.

The minister, therefore, noted that such collaborators remain essential for sustainable energy supply.

Also commenting, Ade Yesufu,  Exhibition Manager, Energy Portfolio Middle East & Africa, Informa Markets, said the Nigerian government continued to seek ways for improving electricity supply.