No Instant Fix for Power Supply Challenges – Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cautioned Nigerians against expecting an immediate resolution to the country’s electricity issues, emphasizing that the challenges stem from decades-old infrastructure.
During a visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Tinubu spoke about ongoing reforms aimed at creating a more business-friendly environment and attracting foreign investment to Nigeria.
The President highlighted the progress being made under the partnership with Siemens Energy but noted that significant improvements would take time due to the outdated state of the nation’s power infrastructure.
“Nigeria, as a nation in a hurry, desires instant results,” Tinubu remarked. “However, we must recognize that our transmission lines are 50 to 60 years old. These are the bottlenecks we are working to address. We are making strides in minimizing challenges and ensuring long-term improvements.”
Tinubu pointed to key reforms, including the decentralization of power distribution and generation, which allow states and subnational entities to produce and manage electricity independently.
“We are enabling states to generate and distribute their own power, and this is already in progress,” he explained. “Additionally, German businesses are supporting alternative energy solutions. With abundant solar resources and Germany’s advanced technology, we aim to expand rural electrification. We are also committed to utilizing our underperforming dams to benefit our citizens.”
Beyond electricity, Tinubu underscored the importance of training Nigeria’s youth, leveraging the nation’s solid minerals, and fostering industrial collaborations as pillars of the country’s development strategy.
“Our youth are vibrant, eager to learn, and market-ready,” he said. “With a well-crafted industrial plan, we are poised to attract investments in assembly plants. Nigeria’s rich solid minerals are another asset we can harness to draw in German businesses and partners, paving the way for sustainable progress.”
