An energy expert, Olukayode Akinrolabu, has urged the federal government to prioritise transparency and clear communication in the implementation of power sector reforms.

He said that openness was critical to restoring confidence and achieving sustainable progress.

Mr Akinrolabu gave the advice in an interview on Wednesday in Lagos, while assessing Nigeria’s power sector outlook for 2026.

He stressed that transparent policies, clear timelines, and regular communication on reforms and achievements would help build trust among stakeholders and consumers.

Chairman of the Customer Consultative Forum for Festac and Satellite Town, Mr Akinrolabu also called on the government to strengthen revenue collection mechanisms and gradually reduce subsidies.

He noted that financial sustainability remains a major challenge in the sector.

He emphasised the need for active engagement with stakeholders, including the private sector and international partners, to accelerate reforms and attract investment.

He said, “While Nigeria’s power sector outlook for 2026 is promising, it is not without obvious challenges. Significant improvements are achievable if all grey areas are properly addressed.”

Mr Akinrolabu identified inadequate gas supply as a critical constraint, even with Nigeria’s vast gas reserves.

He attributed the shortfall to infrastructure gaps and security challenges, urging the government to boost gas production to meet the demands of power generation companies (GenCos).

Mr Akinrolabu also underscored the importance of upgrading transmission infrastructure to reduce losses and improve electricity delivery nationwide.

According to him, improved metering, reduced energy theft, and enhanced revenue collection are essential for the sector’s survival.

He added, “The sector must be rid of bad eggs facilitating internal sabotage. Saboteurs must be eliminated for meaningful progress to take place.”

On expectations for industry operators, Mr Akinrolabu urged distribution companies (DisCos) to improve billing efficiency, reduce technical losses, and enhance customer service.

He advised GenCos to increase generation capacity, optimise gas utilisation, and address persistent maintenance challenges.

Highlighting the government’s role, he called for incentives for gas production, stronger security measures around critical infrastructure, and increased investment in gas facilities.

Mr Akinrolabu called for stricter enforcement of performance metrics for DisCos and further reforms to improve efficiency.

He tasked the Transmission Company of Nigeria with investing in infrastructure upgrades and maintenance to reduce outages.

He also called for stronger regulatory oversight to ensure transparency and accountability across the value chain.

As part of broader recommendations, Mr Akinrolabu encouraged the government to explore renewable energy sources such as solar and wind to complement gas-based generation.

He also advocated increased private sector participation, market diversification, improved customer experience, reduced outages, and comprehensive metering backed by sound demographic planning.
(NAN)