The Presidency has criticised former Anambra State governor Peter Obi over his recent pledge to boost Nigeria’s electricity generation and distribution capacity by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years, arguing that the promise overlooks the deeper challenges facing the power sector.
Speaking during a television interview, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Nigeria already possesses an installed electricity generation capacity of approximately 13,500 megawatts, making it inaccurate to suggest that generation alone is the country’s primary challenge.
According to him, the real obstacles confronting the sector include inadequate gas supply, huge debts owed to gas suppliers, and longstanding weaknesses within the national transmission infrastructure.
Onanuga explained that several power generation facilities across the country are unable to operate at full capacity because of difficulties in accessing sufficient gas and unresolved financial obligations accumulated over the years.
He noted that legacy debts running into trillions of naira have created significant challenges for the industry, adding that the current administration is working towards resolving the problem.
The presidential aide also highlighted reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu shortly after taking office, particularly the signing of the Electricity Act, which expanded the powers of state governments to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity independently.
According to him, the legislation was designed to encourage greater participation in the electricity market and create opportunities for states to develop their own power solutions rather than relying solely on the federal system.
He stated that several states have already begun taking advantage of the new legal framework, while others are expected to follow, creating a more competitive and decentralized electricity sector.
Onanuga further claimed that electricity generation has improved since the current administration assumed office, although he acknowledged that transmission infrastructure remains a major constraint.
Describing the national grid as outdated, he argued that modernizing transmission assets is essential to achieving more reliable electricity supply across the country.
He also referenced ongoing efforts to reform critical components of the power sector, including initiatives aimed at strengthening grid management and improving overall efficiency.
The remarks come shortly after Peter Obi promised that, if elected president, he would increase Nigeria’s electricity generation and distribution capacity by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years.
His proposal has generated renewed debate over the country’s electricity challenges, with supporters viewing it as an ambitious target and critics arguing that the sector’s problems extend far beyond generation figures alone.
As discussions continue, the exchange highlights the differing approaches being proposed to address one of Nigeria’s most persistent economic and development challenges.
