News
Nigeria Targets 20-Hour Daily Power Supply by 2027 with Investment Reforms
Nigeria’s ambitious target of providing at least 20 hours of electricity daily by 2027 hinges on a significant boost in investments, especially in the oil and gas sectors.
Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser on Energy to President Bola Tinubu, recently underscored this at the Africa Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa.
In a statement released by Abiodun Oladunjoye, the State House Director of Information and Publicity, Verheijen detailed the federal government’s plans to revitalize Nigeria’s power sector and improve electricity access for Nigerians.
Currently, Nigeria’s power grid is plagued by challenges, with its most recent collapse marking the 10th outage since the start of 2024.
The government has attributed these frequent failures to outdated infrastructure, a lack of regular maintenance, and chronic underinvestment.
Despite Nigeria’s impressive installed capacity of about 12,500 megawatts, only a fraction of this power is regularly generated, leaving vast areas of the country without stable electricity.
Verheijen noted that Nigeria is pushing to provide consistent power to urban and industrial areas as a cornerstone of economic development.
The government has a range of initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges.
For example, revenue collection reforms are underway to increase accountability, along with the deployment of seven million smart meters to minimize energy losses.
Additionally, there are plans to expand off-grid solutions to ensure remote communities have access to electricity, which will help bridge the gap in underserved regions.
Verheijen emphasized that recent macroeconomic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and foreign exchange liberalization, signal Nigeria’s readiness for a new era of growth.
She urged foreign investors to see these changes as an open invitation to partner with Nigeria, mentioning that the Tinubu administration is actively pursuing policies to attract investment.
As part of the broader Presidential Gas for Growth Initiative, the government is focusing on midstream and downstream investments, including in compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and electric vehicles.
The administration aims to reduce dependency on petrol and diesel, particularly in transport, decentralized power generation, and cooking, while fostering demand for cleaner alternatives like electric vehicles.
While discussing Nigeria’s oil and gas potential, Verheijen compared the country’s performance to that of Brazil, which has managed to produce 131 percent more oil than Nigeria, despite having only 30 percent of its oil reserves.
This gap, she argued, is largely due to underinvestment.
She lamented the fact that since 2016, Nigeria has attracted only 4 percent of Africa’s oil and gas investments, whereas other, less resource-rich African nations have managed to capture a larger share of investor interest.
To reverse this trend, the Tinubu administration is implementing reforms aimed at making Nigeria’s oil and gas sector more competitive.
For the first time since the beginning of deepwater exploration in 1991, Nigeria is introducing a specific fiscal framework for deepwater gas projects, as well as incentives to stimulate investment in non-associated gas production.
Verheijen noted that these new policies are designed to increase investor confidence and unlock Nigeria’s potential, enabling international oil companies to bring more capital to Nigeria’s shores.
A man identified as Abidoye Godday was found dead in an Ogun State hotel shortly after returning from the United States.
According to police spokesperson Omolola Odutola, the deceased’s brother, Jimoh Godday, revealed that he discovered Abidoye’s body after receiving no response to his calls and gaining access to the room with a spare key. Drugs, traditional medicines, and a liquid-like substance soaked into the bed were found in the room.
A friend of the deceased, Ogunmonti Ogunwole, disclosed that Abidoye had purchased nine different medications the day before due to health complaints.
The body has been sent to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital morgue for an autopsy, and the case is now with the State Criminal Investigation Department for further inquiry.
Odutola urged the public to avoid self-medication and seek proper medical advice.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of key officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and the Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike.
The Governing Council, headed by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised other notable members such as Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
However, their tenure came under scrutiny following accusations of misconduct in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.
Reports revealed that the Council had appointed an individual deemed unqualified for the position, bypassing the established guidelines and due process required for such a critical role.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the Federal Government intervened to prevent a brewing crisis between the university’s Senate and the Governing Council.
The statement emphasized the government’s concern over the Council’s disregard for the university’s governing laws and its role in creating unnecessary tension within the institution.
The 23-year-old university has been a cornerstone of education in the region, making the recent controversies even more alarming.
President Tinubu expressed his commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in educational institutions.
He noted that such lapses undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s academic system and must be addressed to maintain public trust.
The President’s actions also extended to the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State, where Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, was removed.
Salami faced accusations of unlawfully suspending the Vice-Chancellor without adhering to the prescribed procedures.
Despite directives from the Federal Ministry of Education to reverse the suspension, Salami reportedly refused to comply and instead engaged in what the government described as abusive and threatening behavior towards ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government’s intervention underscores its resolve to restore order and integrity within Nigeria’s higher education sector.
President Tinubu has cautioned governing councils to avoid actions that distract from their primary mandate of fostering academic excellence.
He reiterated that his administration is focused on raising the standard of education across the country and will not tolerate acts that compromise this mission.
Nasiru Buba has rejected the Sharia Court’s decision absolving Jigawa Commissioner Auwal Danladi Sankara of adultery allegations.
The Kano Upper Shari’a Court dismissed the case, citing insufficient evidence. Buba, however, claimed to have submitted 854 photos, 100 videos, 200 WhatsApp voice notes, and 500 hours of call records. “If the court cleared them, they are not cleared in the eyes of God,” he said.
Buba’s lawyer, Rabi’u Sidi, noted they were not informed of the court session and are reviewing the next steps.
The allegations stem from an August 17 incident involving Sankara and a married woman, which the commissioner denies.
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