By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
CALLS FOR deeper European Union engagement in Nigeria’s power sector took centre stage in Abuja as Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, hosted the European Union (EU) Ambassador Gautier Mignot over the weekend.
With Nigeria facing enduring electricity challenges despite decades of development efforts, Adelabu pressed for sustained financial, technical, and developmental support from EU states to drive reform and unlock economic potential.
At the heart of the meeting was Nigeria’s urgent appeal for continued collaboration on power infrastructure, renewable energy expansion, and sectoral reforms.
Adelabu stressed the criticality of electricity to national growth, lamenting decades of stagnation despite the country’s early access to power.
“We got electricity before some European countries,” he told the envoy. Those who came after us have stabilised their grid. We are still struggling.”
Acknowledging past support from EU nations—including Germany and France—the Minister cited existing partnerships as crucial lifelines.
Yet, he made clear that the scale of Nigeria’s ambition demands even more. “Like Oliver Twist, we keep asking for more,” Adelabu said. “We still require lots of financial support, as the evolving economic landscape is not so favourable to us.”
Citing oil price volatility, budget deficits, and a dependence on crude exports for foreign earnings, the Minister painted a stark picture of Nigeria’s fiscal constraints.
Adelabu argued that without consistent international support—particularly through concessional loans and grants—transformational infrastructure projects could stall.
He pointed to significant recent strides under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, including the enactment of the Electricity Act of 2023 and key grid upgrades through the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), known publicly as the Siemens Project.
Adelabu revealed that nearly 90 percent of the initiative’s pilot phase is complete, including the deployment of ten power transformers and ten mobile substations, which have collectively bolstered transmission capacity by more than 700 megawatts.
These efforts, he said, are yielding measurable progress: “We’re now averaging 5,000 to 8,000 megawatts. It’s not by accident. This administration has recorded the highest average daily power consumption in Nigerian history—over 20,000 kilowatt-hours—and the highest-ever generation capacity of 6,003 megawatts.”
Investment in off-grid solutions has also gained momentum, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. From solar mini-grids to hydro-powered micro dams, the government is pursuing decentralised energy options to close the access gap.
“We’ve extended the national grid and exploited renewables in underserved areas,” he said. “It’s part of a broader strategy to improve energy access across all parts of the country.”
Adelabu’s remarks were met with a warm response from Ambassador Mignot, who reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to energy transition in Nigeria.
Mignot highlighted the arrival of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as a fresh financing vehicle, focused on private sector engagement.
With a Lagos office in the pipeline, the EBRD’s expanded mandate will now include Nigeria among six sub-Saharan African countries eligible for support.
“Nigeria is becoming a shareholder of the EBRD. It’s a new asset,” Mignot said. “And it will bring new sources of financing, especially for private-sector-driven energy projects.”
The EU diplomat acknowledged Nigeria’s dual challenge: transitioning to clean energy while still leveraging existing gas and oil reserves. He pledged that the bloc would continue offering a mix of grants and loans to support energy security and sector reform.
Days earlier, speaking through his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu restated the government’s firm commitment to delivering electricity that is stable, affordable, and accessible to all Nigerians.
“Electricity is the lifeblood of any economy—the catalyst for industrialisation, job creation, and socio-economic development,” Adelabu said.
“Yet, we are acutely aware of the gaps that persist from grid inefficiencies to the need for diversified energy sources, including renewables,” he stated.
Under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry of Power has prioritised four strategic areas: grid strengthening and expansion, renewable energy integration, rural electrification, and policy reforms to attract investment. Adelabu said these pillars are essential to closing Nigeria’s long-standing power deficit.
“This award is not just a personal honour,” the Minister said. “It is a testament to the collective efforts of our government, partners, and industry players.”
He acknowledged the continuing need for strong collaboration with stakeholders across the public and private sectors, noting that only through unified efforts could Nigeria achieve sustainable energy for all.
“The road ahead is demanding,” Adelabu said. “But with the unwavering support of all stakeholders, I am confident Nigeria will soon achieve the energy stability it deserves.”
Among those who joined the celebration were the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Engr Jennifer Adhigie; the CEOs of Eko and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies, Madam Rekiah Momoh and Mrs Folake Soetan; and MOJEC Group leaders Mrs Mojisola Abdul and Ms Chantelle Abdul.
In recognition of Minister Adelabu’s impact on Nigeria’s power sector reforms came at the second edition of the EnergyTimes Newspaper Awards, he was named Power Sector Personality of the Year.
The accolade, organisers said, was awarded for his “outstanding leadership, vision and contributions” since taking office.
