Uche Cecil Izuora
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr. Abba Aliyu called for collaborative national action to revitalize the power sector.
Aliyu, along other energy experts made the call was made during the Distinguished Personality Lecture Series hosted by the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL), University of Ibadan in honour of Professor Akin Iwayemi.
The annual lecture, held to celebrate Professor Iwayemi’s decades-long contributions to energy economics, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players, and students to deliberate on the future of Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Delivering the keynote address, Aliyu, represented by the Chief Commercial Officer of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Dr. Ademola Adewumi, warned against over-reliance on foreign models, advocating for context-specific strategies rooted in Nigeria’s realities.
Speaking on the the theme: “Let there be light: Pathway to a sustainable electricity future in Nigeria,” the guest speaker harped on the need for stronger partnerships among government, academia, private investors, and financial institutions to bring lasting transformation to the energy sector.
He stressed the importance of tapping into alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and wave power, noting that political will, policy coherence, and the implementation of research findings are critical to unlocking this potential.
He lamented the sector’s unattractiveness to investors due to regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure costs, and foreign exchange volatility.
He said, “There must be a stable policy environment and a long-term vision. Electricity must be treated as a national priority, beyond political cycles.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, Director of CPEEL, Professor Olugbenga Falode described the lecture as a tribute to Professor Iwayemi’s pioneering legacy and a platform for bridging academic research with energy policy and practice.
He said Nigeria’s per capita energy consumption—about 180 kilowatt-hours—remains far below global standards, crippling key sectors like agriculture, education, and industry.
Highlighting CPEEL’s recent innovations, Falode showcased a solar-powered, IoT-enabled irrigation system and a solar dryer designed to support post-harvest processing in rural communities—solutions already gaining traction among local farmers.
In his remarks, the honouree, Professor Akin Iwayemi reflected on decades of failed reforms. Citing the efforts of past power ministers including: Bola Ige, Barth Nnaji, and Babatunde Fashola, he noted that Nigeria’s energy crisis stems not from a lack of ideas or policies but from poor implementation and political inertia.
“It’s not magic. The policies exist. What’s missing is accountability and the will to act. There is no free lunch. Ineffective leadership must be held accountable if we are to break the cycle”, he said.
He maintained that without consequences for failure, whether through electoral processes or administrative sanctions, reforms will continue to falter.
The event had in attendance: former Vice Chancellor, Professor O. A. Bamiro; former Oyo State Commissioner of Works and Transport, Professor Rahman Afonja; energy experts; stakeholders; and students from across academic levels.