I was shocked when I read the news that the Edo State governor joined protesters against the epileptic power supply in his state. If those protesters were familiar with the current Electricity Act, they would have beat him, because he is one of the major causes of the electricity challenges.
The Electricity Act 2023 changed the structure of Nigeria’s power sector in a fundamental way. Unlike the previous framework that placed most electricity responsibilities in the hands of the federal government, the new law decentralizes power generation, transmission, and distribution, allowing states and private investors to participate actively in the electricity market.
In simple terms, state governments now have the legal backing to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity within their territories. This means that governors who truly want to address power challenges in their states are no longer limited to complaining about the national grid. They now have the authority to act.
This is why I was shocked when I read the news that a state governor led a protest against electricity. If the law now empowers states to take initiatives in power generation and distribution, then leadership should focus on utilizing those opportunities, not merely pointing fingers.
Another important aspect of the new energy framework is the expansion of mini-grid systems. Mini-grids provide localized electricity generation and distribution for communities. One of their greatest advantages is resilience. When the national grid collapses, communities powered by mini-grids are often unaffected. Likewise, when states develop their own generation capacity, faults in the national grid do not necessarily plunge them into darkness.
In essence, the more states invest in decentralized power solutions, the less pressure on the national grid. This is exactly how modern electricity systems operate in many parts of the world.
The Presidential Villa in Abuja is connected to a mini-grid, ensuring that disruptions on the national grid do not automatically translate into power outages there. This alone demonstrates the practicality of decentralized power systems.
Beyond that, the federal government has also been promoting alternative solutions. One clear example is the Energizing Education Programme (EEP), which is bringing solar-based power solutions to universities and tertiary institutions across the country. Many campuses that previously struggled with unreliable electricity now enjoy more stable power through renewable energy projects.
Similarly, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has been advocating for energy efficiency and renewable adoption. Under the leadership of Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha, the commission has been pushing campaigns around energy conservation, mixed energy sources, and energy-efficient technologies.
He has also called for companies importing electrical appliances into Nigeria to shift toward solar-powered alternatives. Today, solar refrigerators, solar fans, and solar televisions are increasingly common. In fact, many politicians now distribute such appliances as part of empowerment programs for their constituents.
All these initiatives point toward a clear direction: Nigeria’s energy future lies in diversified generation, renewable energy adoption, and decentralized systems.
Therefore, when a state government that has the legal authority to explore these opportunities chooses instead to stand among protesters blaming the federal government, it risks sending the wrong message. Citizens deserve leadership that translates policy opportunities into practical solutions, not leadership that appears to protest problems it now has the power to address.
Electricity is too critical to national development to remain trapped in the politics of blame. With the Electricity Act 2023, governors now have a historic opportunity to transform the energy landscape in their states. The real question is no longer whether the law allows them to act, it clearly does.
The real question is whether they are willing to use that power.
President Tinubu is not the problem.
– Engr Ira Habib writes from Kogi state.
