Newsie Events Media:
At the commissioning of a 600kW solar power plant at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna on May 13, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, laid bare the enormity of Nigeria’s electricity challenge—and the ambitious roadmap to tackle it.
Adelabu didn’t mince words. “To achieve stable, reliable, and functional power in this country,” he declared, “we need an annual investment of no less than $10 billion for the next 10 to 20 years.” But money alone won’t solve the problem unless the foundation is right.
And the foundation, he insists, is finally being rebuilt. One key breakthrough: the signing of the Energy Act. This game-changing legislation has officially unshackled the power sector, allowing states—more than eleven already on board—with legal autonomy to participate across the value chain, from generation to metering. It’s a long-overdue shift toward decentralization, giving sub-national governments a real seat at the energy table.
Yet, legislative reform is just the beginning.
The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s longstanding infrastructure gap—a result of six decades of neglect and underinvestment in the national transmission grid. Fixing this, he stressed, is non-negotiable if real progress is to be made.
Equally urgent is closing the metering gap, which still hovers above 50%. The government’s new Presidential Metering Initiative is set to roll out 18 million meters over the next five years, aiming to bring transparency and efficiency to electricity consumption.
Turning to the symbolic importance of the day’s event, Adelabu commended the NDA’s solar project—implemented by the Ministry of Power and the Rural Electrification Agency—not just for its clean energy output, but for its strategic significance.
“This Academy,” he said, “is more than a training ground. It’s a national asset. Powering it with renewable energy aligns perfectly with our goal of a self-reliant, energy-efficient Nigeria.”
He tied the project into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” noting that energy reform is central to the administration’s vision for accelerated national development.
The Minister also took time to recognize the crucial role of the Nigerian Armed Forces in protecting power infrastructure. “Without your unwavering support,” he noted, “our efforts would be seriously undermined, especially in the face of growing vandalism and attacks on personnel.”
However, he didn’t shy away from addressing recent tensions. Referring to an unfortunate altercation involving Ikeja Electric staff and military personnel, Adelabu stressed the importance of mutual respect. “We are not adversaries,” he said. “The power sector and the military are partners—working toward a common goal of national growth, security, and prosperity.”
As the solar power plant came online, it stood as more than just a renewable energy milestone. It marked a moment of renewed unity between the nation’s power sector and its military—and a step closer to a future where every Nigerian has access to clean, stable electricity.
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