“Nigeria needs at least 100,000 megawatts of power, not just available but installed.”
NAIRAMETRICS
Former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, has stated that Nigeria requires at least 100,000 megawatts of installed power capacity to meet its energy needs. Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise TV, Nnaji emphasized the need for strategic investment, aggressive generation, and infrastructure upgrades.
“Distribution companies must invest in substations to ensure efficient power distribution. Without such investments, the country will continue to experience load shedding,” he said.
He urged the Integrated National Electricity Policy (INEP) to accelerate infrastructure development, noting that Nigeria’s current capacity is insufficient. Highlighting Aba’s success, where 90 substations were established, he called for similar commitments nationwide.
Nnaji opposed an outright ban on solar panel imports, suggesting a transitional phase for domestic manufacturing. He advocated leveraging natural gas, hydropower, and solar, describing wind as less viable.
He also recommended breaking large Discos into smaller units to enhance efficiency. “Discos must become financially reliable partners,” he added.