ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Nigeria’s presidency has faulted opposition candidate Peter Obi’s pledge to boost electricity generation by 10,000 megawatts within four years, saying the country already has more installed capacity than the figure promised.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Tuesday that Nigeria’s real challenge is not generation capacity but structural bottlenecks, including inadequate gas supply, debts owed to gas companies and an outdated national grid. He noted that Nigeria has an installed capacity of about 13,500 megawatts, but much of it remains unused due to systemic constraints.
Onanuga explained that legacy debts of more than 4 trillion naira owed to gas suppliers have prevented power plants from operating at full capacity. He added that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has moved to address longstanding constraints by signing the Electricity Act, which allows states to generate, transmit and distribute power independently.
Several states have already begun taking advantage of the law, which officials say will make the sector more competitive. Onanuga also claimed that power generation has improved compared to levels inherited in May 2023, though transmission remains a major obstacle.
“The grid is outdated,” he said, adding that the government has proposed the creation of a Grid Asset Management Company Limited (GAMCO) to modernize hydropower facilities and optimize performance.
Obi’s pledge, made during campaign activities ahead of the 2027 election, has reignited debate over Nigeria’s decades-long struggle to provide reliable electricity. Despite having one of Africa’s largest installed capacities, the country often generates less than half of its potential due to gas shortages, technical faults and grid failures.
Energy analysts say the dispute highlights the complexity of Nigeria’s power sector, where political promises often clash with entrenched structural problems. Reliable electricity remains a critical issue for economic growth, industrialization and everyday life in Africa’s most populous nation.
Globally, Nigeria’s electricity challenges mirror those of other emerging economies such as South Africa and India, where installed capacity is undermined by weak infrastructure, fuel shortages and governance issues. Experts argue that without addressing systemic inefficiencies, pledges to add megawatts risk becoming symbolic rather than transformative.
Public reaction has been mixed. Supporters of Obi say his promise reflects ambition and urgency, while critics argue that his proposal overlooks the deeper structural reforms needed to unlock Nigeria’s existing capacity.
Bottom line: Nigeria’s electricity debate is less about how much power can be generated and more about whether the country can modernize its grid, secure fuel supply and enforce accountability in the sector. Only then can promises of expanded capacity translate into reliable electricity for homes and businesses.
