President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his
administration’s commitment to improving electricity supply across Nigeria,
saying that stable power remains a cornerstone for economic growth, industrialization,
and improved quality of life.
The President made the remarks during a meeting with a
delegation from Siemens Energy, led by Dietmar Siersdorfer, the company’s
Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, at the Presidential Villa,
Abuja.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Coordinating Minister
of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special
Adviser on Energy Olu Verheijen were also in attendance.
Power Sector Key to Economic
Transformation
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser
to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu emphasized that access to
reliable electricity is vital for Nigeria’s industrial, educational, and
healthcare development.
“There is no industrial growth or economic development
without power. I believe that power is the most significant discovery of
humanity in the last 1,000 years,” the President said.
“Our education, our healthcare, and our transportation
all depend on energy. Without power, it is an impossible objective. We are
taking it very seriously.”
Tinubu praised the ongoing collaboration under the Presidential
Power Initiative (PPI) between Nigeria and Siemens Energy, describing it as
crucial to unlocking the country’s economic potential.
He further directed the expansion of some key
transformer substations from two to three phases to strengthen the national
grid and improve electricity distribution.
“We are all inspired and happy. This is what we want
to achieve on the continent — to see the glory of our economic recovery and the
banishment of poverty,” he added.
Power Minister Highlights Progress Under
PPI
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu outlined the
progress achieved under the PPI, noting that the sector had witnessed
significant reforms, including the decentralization and liberalization of the
electricity market.
He recalled that President Tinubu’s signing of the Electricity
Act 2023 paved the way for a National Integrated Electricity Policy, attracting
over $2.2 billion in new investments and enabling the activation of 15 state
electricity markets.
“Since the signing of the Accelerated Agreement at
COP28 in Dubai, the PPI has recorded notable milestones across its
implementation phases,” Adelabu said.
Under the Pilot Phase (Phase Zero), Siemens Energy has
delivered and commissioned:
These installations have collectively added 984MW of
transmission capacity to the national grid.
Adelabu also announced that in December 2024, the Federal
Executive Council (FEC) approved the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction
(EPC) contract for Phase One, Batch One of the PPI, covering the upgrade and
installation of substations in Abeokuta, Offa, Ayede-Ibadan, Sokoto, and
Onitsha.
Two of the substations, he added, are projected for
completion by the end of 2026.
Siemens, Germany Pledge Long-Term
Partnership
Siemens Energy’s regional head, Dietmar Siersdorfer,
reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s power development, noting that
the PPI would transform Nigeria into a regional power hub.
“The PPI is not just a project but a platform for
long-term development and prosperity,” he said.
He revealed that a training centre is being
constructed to build local capacity in electrical engineering, create jobs, and
ensure technology transfer.
“Nigerian professionals will be engaged directly in
the five project sites, while thousands of indirect jobs will be created in the
host communities,” Siersdorfer added.
The German Ambassador’s representative, Johannes Lehne,
also assured President Tinubu of continued support from the German government
in implementing the power initiative.
Economic Impact
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the
Economy, Wale Edun, said the successful completion of the PPI would enhance
Nigeria’s ease of doing business, attract more investments, create jobs for
young people, and reduce poverty nationwide.
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