Persistent power shortages in Nigeria are the result of weak infrastructure, poor transmission capacity, ageing distribution networks, and limited investment in off-grid solutions, experts said yesterday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Power Conference in Lagos.
President of the LCCI, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, said decentralising the electricity sector has revealed deeper structural deficiencies that must be urgently addressed.
“While decentralisation introduces opportunities for innovation and efficiency, it also exposes long-standing weaknesses in our infrastructure—from generation bottlenecks and limited gas supply to inadequate transmission lines, weak distribution networks, and insufficient investment in off-grid systems,” he said.
Idahosa added that the situation raises critical questions on how to balance cost-reflective tariffs with affordability, strengthen data management, embed renewable energy, and harmonise federal and state regulations.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, identified infrastructure optimisation, commercial sustainability, and value-chain coordination as the sector’s major challenges.
He said Lagos’ grid infrastructure was designed for a smaller population and requires significant upgrades and smarter management.
On commercial sustainability, the commissioner noted that decentralisation introduces new market dynamics, making it necessary for states to create clear regulatory frameworks that protect consumers and attract investment.
He stressed that the power sector “must stop operating in silos,” saying distribution, transmission, and generation must work together for meaningful progress.
President of the LCCI Power Sector Group, Mr. Olufemi Bakare, said Nigeria stands at a crucial moment in its search for sustainable power solutions, but warned that infrastructure optimisation remains a critical hurdle despite ongoing reforms.
Vanguard News
