President Bola Tinubu has attributed Nigeria’s persistent electricity shortages to what he described as a flawed privatization of the power sector carried out by previous administrations.
The remarks, highlighted in a post by @NigeriaStories, come amid continued frustration over unreliable power supply across the country.
The post features an image of Tinubu speaking alongside electricity transmission towers, underscoring the long-running infrastructure and supply challenges facing Africa’s most populous nation.
Speaking on the state of the power sector, Tinubu said structural weaknesses embedded in the privatization process have hindered progress for years. Nigeria privatized much of its power generation and distribution assets in 2013, unbundling the former state monopoly into separate generation and distribution companies. The reform was intended to attract private investment, improve efficiency, and expand capacity. However, critics argue that the process transferred assets without ensuring adequate technical capacity, financial backing, or regulatory enforcement.
Tinubu suggested that these foundational issues continue to limit the sector’s performance. He emphasized the need for reforms that address transmission bottlenecks, liquidity challenges, and gas supply constraints, which frequently disrupt electricity generation and distribution. Despite installed generation capacity on paper, Nigeria often struggles to deliver consistent power due to infrastructure gaps and grid instability.
The president’s comments quickly drew reactions online, particularly regarding his 2023 campaign pledge. During the election season, Tinubu had reportedly said Nigerians should not vote for him if he failed to improve electricity supply. Many replies to the @NigeriaStories post referenced that statement, with users questioning why progress has remained slow despite the All Progressives Congress (APC) being in power at the federal level since 2015.
Critics argue that while privatization occurred before Tinubu assumed office, his party has governed Nigeria for over a decade and therefore shares responsibility for addressing inherited challenges. Some commenters expressed frustration over recurring grid collapses, estimated billing practices, and the continued reliance on generators by households and businesses….See More
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