Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has challenged President Bola Tinubu to account for his campaign pledge to reform and stabilise Nigeria’s electricity sector. The Governor’s demand follows continued instability within the national power grid, which has left businesses and households struggling with inconsistent supply.
The call for accountability comes at a time when the administration faces increasing political scrutiny over its ability to deliver on key economic promises. As the 2027 presidential election cycle begins to influence national political discourse, the performance of the power sector has emerged as a central point of contention.
The challenge from Makinde regarding the president’s electricity promises highlights the growing dissatisfaction with the current state of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
The state of Nigeria’s power sector
Nigeria’s electricity sector has been characterised by systemic failures, including insufficient generation capacity, ageing transmission infrastructure, and significant liquidity challenges across the value chain. Despite various attempts at sector privatisation and decentralisation, the national grid has suffered multiple total collapses in recent months, resulting in widespread blackouts.
The inability to maintain a stable grid has severe economic consequences. For the Nigerian business community, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the lack of reliable electricity remains a massive cost driver. Many companies are forced to rely on expensive diesel and petrol-powered generators to sustain operations, a practice that significantly reduces profit margins and limits industrial growth.
The Tinubu administration previously outlined several strategies to address these issues, including seeking increased investment in gas-to-power infrastructure and addressing the debt profile of the DisCos (Distribution Companies). However, the practical impact of these policies has yet to be felt by the average consumer or the manufacturing sector.
Political analysts suggest that the electricity issue will likely become a major battleground in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. For the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), delivering a visible improvement in power supply is essential to maintaining its political mandate. Conversely, opposition figures and critics like Makinde are using the sector’s dysfunction to question the administration’s competence in managing critical national assets.
While the presidency has maintained that reforms are underway to unbundle the sector and attract more private capital, the frequency of grid failures continues to undermine public confidence. The immediate challenge for the government remains the stabilisation of the transmission network and the resolution of the funding gap that prevents adequate maintenance of existing infrastructure.
The presidency has not yet issued a formal response to Governor Makinde’s specific call for accountability.
Explore more News stories from Business Elites Africa.
