An energy expert, Olukayode Akinrolabu, has urged the newly appointed Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, to deliver practical and sustainable solutions to the country’s persistent electricity challenges.

Mr Akinrolabu, a member of the science and technology education research group at Lagos State University, made the call in Lagos on Sunday.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Tegbe as Minister of Power on May 1.

Mr Akinrolabu said the appointment came at a critical time for the nation’s energy sector.

He stressed the need for decisive action to stabilise the system and restore public confidence.

The expert said the minister must prioritise grid stability, improve transparency in the electricity market, and ensure a more reliable power supply to consumers.

According to him, Nigerians expect measurable outcomes, including reduced grid collapses, fair billing practices, and accelerated metering to eliminate estimated billing.

The expert identified liquidity constraints, weak regulatory enforcement and inefficiencies across the value chain as key issues requiring urgent attention.

He noted that the minister’s performance in the coming months would significantly influence not only the power sector but also Nigeria’s broader economic growth.

Mr Akinrolabu outlined three immediate priorities for the minister, beginning with efforts to halt persistent grid collapses.

“Nigerians expect at least six months without a total system collapse. Anything less will not inspire confidence,” he said.

He also emphasised the need for “cash clarity” through transparent disclosure of the sector’s debt profile and a credible repayment framework.

“Trust begins with numbers, not promises,” he added.

On metering, Mr Akinrolabu called for the rollout of at least two million meters through a transparent, private sector-driven initiative to enhance billing accuracy and consumer trust.

He further stressed that the minister must focus on strengthening the commercial viability of the electricity market.

Describing liquidity as the sector’s “lifeblood,” he warned that unpaid generation companies were unable to procure gas, resulting in reduced power generation and increased risk of grid failure.

To address this, he proposed stricter enforcement of remittance regulations for distribution companies, the securitisation of legacy debts estimated at over N6 trillion, and targeted subsidies for vulnerable consumers.

Mr Akinrolabu also recommended adopting a naira-based payment system for gas-to-power transactions to mitigate foreign exchange risks.

On infrastructure, he identified weak transmission systems and inadequate protection mechanisms as major causes of grid instability.

He called for completion of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to enable real-time grid monitoring, as well as increased investment in embedded generation and private-sector participation in transmission maintenance.

The expert noted that Nigeria’s spinning reserve remains significantly below global standards, making the grid highly susceptible to collapse.

On electricity tariffs, he advocated a balanced framework that ensures cost recovery while protecting low-income consumers.

He called for strict enforcement of service-based tariff bands, expansion of lifeline tariffs, and a transparent pricing roadmap to avoid sudden increases.

“No service, no premium tariff,” he said, insisting that consumers must receive value for payments made. 

(NAN)