“Nigeria has the resources and technology…what it lacks is coordinated conviction.”
A recent visit to China left Dakuku Peterside stunned after witnessing a high-speed train powered 36% by wind energy.
He contrasted this with Nigeria’s erratic power supply, calling for urgent reform and commitment to energy independence.
“Electricity is more than illumination—it is the backbone of modern life,” Peterside wrote, citing its role in preserving food, powering industries, and enabling education and security. He referenced China’s massive leap in power generation from 1,300 TWh in 2000 to over 10,000 TWh in 2024, driven by consistent policy and high investment. Uruguay also achieved 90% renewable electricity within a decade through bipartisan energy planning and market-driven reforms.
Peterside praised Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2023 and restructuring of TCN, but emphasized that “true transformation will demand more than new acronyms.” He recommended a Five-Year Power Sufficiency Roadmap, cost-reflective tariffs, smart subsidies, and targeted investment in solar, hydro, and gas.
“Nigeria has the resources and technology,” he concluded, “what it lacks is coordinated conviction. The switch is within reach. Let’s flip it.”