FG Launches $23.2bn Energy Access Programme to Bridge Nigeria’s Electricity Gap
In a bold move to address Nigeria’s electricity deficit, the Federal Government has rolled out an ambitious energy access programme designed to transform the country’s power sector.
According to the government, the initiative will require a total investment of $23.2 billion, with $15.5 billion expected to come from the private sector.
A statement by Bolaji Tunji, spokesperson for the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, highlighted that the programme stems from deliberations at the recently concluded Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The two-day summit, hosted by the Government of Tanzania, in collaboration with the African Union (AU), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the World Bank Group, seeks to accelerate electricity access for 300 million Africans by 2030.
Objectives of the National Energy Compact
The newly launched National Energy Compact aims to:
- Increase electricity access from 4% to 9% annually.
- Boost clean cooking solutions adoption from 22% to 25% annually.
- Expand renewable energy’s share in Nigeria’s power generation mix from 22% to 50%.
- Mobilise $15.5bn in private investments to drive last-mile electrification.
Tunji noted that the programme aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which advocates for universal access to modern and sustainable energy services.
Nigeria’s Commitment to Universal Electricity Access
Minister Adebayo Adelabu, while unveiling the initiative, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access by 2030.
“With 150 million Nigerians already electrified, our goal is to ensure that every citizen has access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy,” he said.
Despite this commitment, the minister acknowledged significant challenges, particularly the vandalism of power infrastructure, which continues to derail electrification efforts.
He lamented that critical power assets—including transmission towers, pipelines, and distribution networks—are frequently targeted, leading to supply disruptions and discouraging investment in the sector.
Government’s Strategy to Tackle Power Challenges
To safeguard power infrastructure, Adelabu stated that the government is:
- Enhancing security measures to protect transmission and distribution networks.
- Implementing stricter penalties for vandalism.
- Deploying advanced surveillance technologies to monitor key infrastructure.
Additionally, the minister stressed that private sector participation remains central to achieving Nigeria’s electrification targets.
“The compact outlines a $23.2bn investment plan, with $15.5bn expected from private investors to expand power generation, strengthen transmission and distribution networks, and integrate distributed renewable energy solutions,” he explained.
Nigeria’s Energy Sector Struggles and the Road Ahead
Despite being Africa’s most populous country with over 200 million people, Nigeria generates only 4,500 megawatts of electricity—a figure far below the national demand.
Government efforts in 2024 to increase power generation to 6,000MW were hampered by frequent grid collapses and infrastructure vandalism.
As a result, over 250 companies and institutions have opted out of the national grid, relying instead on self-generated electricity.
The government, however, remains optimistic that the National Energy Compact will transform the sector, attract new investments, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s energy transition.
With the Mission 300 initiative gaining traction, Adelabu believes that Nigeria’s strong commitment to sector reforms, infrastructure expansion, and investment mobilisation will play a crucial role in shaping the future of electricity access across the continent.