Energy Expert Raises Alarm Over Failing Power System in Nigeria

Energy economist Obianuju Ezenwanne has warned that Nigeria’s electricity sector is under extreme pressure, describing it as a fragile system plagued by interconnected failures that make regular power outages almost unavoidable.

In a statement, she noted that many Nigerians do not fully understand the depth of the crisis, stressing that the country’s electricity infrastructure faces serious structural challenges across generation, transmission, and distribution.

“Most people don’t realise how deep the problem runs,” she said.

Ezenwanne, who works with the Missouri Public Service Commission in the United States analysing power system planning, demand projections, and infrastructure investments, said Nigeria’s electricity sector shows worrying trends when examined from a professional standpoint.

According to her, the issue goes beyond a simple shortage of power plants or fuel, pointing instead to systemic weaknesses across the entire value chain.

“It is not just about insufficient power plants or fuel supply. The entire system has flaws. Weaknesses in generation, transmission, and distribution combine in ways that make outages inevitable,” she explained.

She highlighted that while Nigeria has an installed capacity of over 13,000 megawatts, the national grid delivers less than 4,000 megawatts to a population exceeding 200 million, revealing a significant shortfall caused by inefficiencies.

Ezenwanne attributed part of the problem to reliance on gas-powered plants, noting that frequent vandalism of pipelines disrupts fuel supply and forces shutdowns. She also pointed to ageing infrastructure and poor maintenance as factors reducing efficiency in many facilities.

She added that even when power is generated, it must pass through a transmission network that is overstretched and vulnerable to breakdowns. At the distribution level, outdated equipment such as transformers and feeders further weakens supply to consumers.

The combined effect, she said, has created a cycle of instability, with repeated grid failures forcing homes and businesses to depend heavily on diesel generators. While these provide temporary relief, they also increase costs and contribute to rising inflation.

Ezenwanne stressed that understanding how the electricity system works is key to solving the crisis, noting that identifying bottlenecks in gas supply, transmission, and distribution can guide effective reforms.

Her comments come as Nigeria implements the Electricity Act of 2023, which decentralises the sector and gives states greater control over their electricity markets. States including Lagos, Edo, and Enugu are already exploring independent power frameworks, presenting both opportunities and challenges.

Drawing from her experience, she emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach that considers every part of the electricity ecosystem, from fuel supply and power generation to transmission and metering.

She called for coordinated reforms, including securing gas pipelines, upgrading power plants, strengthening transmission networks, and modernising distribution infrastructure.

“Nigeria’s electricity crisis affects every aspect of life, homes, businesses, and hospitals alike. Understanding the system is the first step to ensuring stable and reliable power for everyone,” she said.