Professor of Electrical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering at the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Professor Anthony Adoghe has said to reposition the 8 point Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration and put it on course, adequate and reliable power supply and human capital development should be the major focus.
He stated this while delivering the 33rd inaugural lecture of the university on Friday, entitled: ‘Energy Poverty in the midst of Abundant Natural Resources: The Agonising Power Supply.’
According to him, this is necessary because electricity is the lifeblood of modern economies as it powers industries, businesses, and infrastructure, enabling economic growth and development.
He also added that a stable electricity supply is essential for attracting foreign investments, promoting industrialisation and fostering innovation.
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“Electricity is a major source of advancement and improvement in people’s living standards by stimulating other sectors like health, education, commerce and industries.
Prof. Adoghe stated further that the real potential of electricity lies not in providing social amenities but in stimulating long-term economic development.
He however pointed out that majority in the entire African continent are living without a reliable source of cheap and sustainable electricity and such their economies are under-developed.
“As far as I can remember, epileptic electric power supply has been the order of the day in Nigeria and to work in such environment, business owners must plan on how to generate power, which is expensive not to mention the accompanying noise pollution from generator.”
Speaking further on Nigerian electric power sector, Prof. Adoghe explained that to make electricity supply less vulnerable to disruptions, more affordable, available and reliable, Nigeria has set targets for the country’s energy mix to exploit Nigeria’s potential for coal, solar, wind, biomass, and large and small hydroelectric power generation at 30 GW with 30% renewable energy by 2030.
Also, the Electric Power Sector Reforms Bill was signed into law almost a decade ago with among other objectives is to attract the required investment to bridge the huge deficits of electricity demand and supply and to ensure a system of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and marketing that is efficient, safe, affordable and cost- effective throughout the industry.
With these initiatives, Prof. Adoghe said the Nigeria power sector has significant potential for growth and remains important in the overall economic context.
“Despite the fundamental challenges around inefficiencies in power supply, frequent grid collapse and poor revenue collection, ongoing developments indicate deliberate actions and a willingness by market participants to address these issues.
To this end, the Professor of Electrical Engineering added that Nigeria is well endowed with resources in both renewable and non- renewable energies, which constitute plausible solutions to address existing power shortages and promote the drive to increase the current installed capacity of the country significantly by the year 2030 and beyond.
He explained further that Nigeria’s primary electricity generation source is mainly through thermal and hydropower sources. “Fossil fuels comprise 86% of the total generation, while the remainder is from hydropower sources. It is therefore obvious why Nigeria is still contending with epileptic electricity supply challenges.
These challenges he said include limitations in gas supply for thermal plants, outstanding debts obligations to gas producers and generating companies, outdated and inadequate transmission infrastructure, lack of commitment to explore off-grid solutions that can provide electricity to households within a short time frame among others.
On the way forward, Prof. Adoghe called for upgrading of power infrastructure. “Ongoing investments in upgrading ageing grids and expanding capacity will definitely minimize energy losses and ensure efficient power delivery.
Others include commercial alignment across the entire electricity value chain; solar energy, and embracing distributed energy resources.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Timothy Anake said the lecture is in line with the vision of the institution to use knowledge as a tool for solving local problems, creating knowledge and products, shaping policy and restoring the dignity of the African continent.
“Through such scholarly engagements, we are reminded that our research must be both relevant and redemptive, driving Africa towards self-reliance, innovation and transformation.
He explained that addressing energy sector requires rigorous analysis, innovative thinking and multi-disciplinary collaboration and universities like Covenant are uniquely positioned to cause that.
This, he said, demands interrogating the complexities, explore sustainable solutions and contribute to the policy formulations that can bring meaningful change.
“The lecture today demonstrates that academics can and must lead the charge towards a more sustainable and equitable energy for Africa,” he said.
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