Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has pointed out the slow progress in the nation’s power generation, stating that it took nearly four decades to increase by a mere 2,000 megawatts, from 2,000 MW in 1984 to 4,000 MW by 2022.
However, Adelabu noted a significant acceleration under the current administration, with power generation remarkably increasing to 6,003 megawatts in less than two years.
The Minister shared these observations during a courtesy visit from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), led by its president, Margret Oguntala.
Discussions during the visit centred on potential collaboration between the NSE and the Ministry, including strategic partnerships, mentorship opportunities, and the NSE’s crucial role in providing technical advice on power-related matters.
Adelabu expressed his view that Nigeria should have overcome many of its engineering challenges, particularly in the power sector, given the number of engineers the country has produced.
Reviewing the Nigerian government’s achievements since assuming office, he contrasted the nearly 40 years it took to reach 4,000 MW with the recent increase to 6,003 MW in under two years.
Credit: The Guardian Newspaper
He acknowledged that while Nigeria is not yet where it needs to be, this progress demonstrates the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to revitalising the power sector.
The minister urged the NSE to prioritise training, mentor young engineers, and serve as role models to inspire greater interest in the profession.
He emphasised the need for closer collaboration between the NSE and the Federal Ministry of Power to address the challenges facing the sector and assured his willingness to work closely with the society.
Adelabu challenged the NSE to ensure its activities have a tangible impact on the efficiency of the ministry’s critical infrastructure, questioning why issues like grid collapse persist despite the long establishment and large membership of the NSE.
He stressed the importance of manpower development and training, suggesting a strong partnership with the National Power Training Institute.
The minister lamented the decline in rigorous training since the era of the old National Electric Power Authority.
Furthermore, Adelabu called for a focus on local capacity building, urging the NSE to collaborate with the government to promote local manufacturing of materials needed in the power sector, which would boost employment, support local industries, and conserve foreign exchange.
He also emphasised the responsibility of senior engineers to mentor younger professionals.
In response, the NSE President assured the minister of the society’s commitment to contributing technical expertise to improve Nigeria’s power sector, foster innovation, and enhance capacity development within the industry.
