By Ayo Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu on Friday declared that “no modern economy can grow in darkness,” as he pledged a renewed drive to stabilise Nigeria’s electricity supply and accelerate industrial revival through deepening power sector reforms, expanded transmission infrastructure, and renewed investments in alternative energy sources.
The President, in a nationwide address marking the third anniversary of his administration, said ongoing reforms in the power sector were central to Nigeria’s broader economic transformation agenda, insisting that sustainable industrialisation, job creation, and improved productivity would remain impossible without a stable electricity supply.
Tinubu said his administration inherited a power sector weighed down by decades of underinvestment, mounting debts, weak transmission capacity, and systemic inefficiencies that had constrained generation and distribution across the country.
According to him, these structural challenges had long undermined economic growth and limited Nigeria’s industrial potential, despite the country’s large population and resource base.
He said the federal government is now confronting those challenges directly through a combination of transmission expansion, grid stabilisation efforts, debt resolution measures, and increased investment in renewable energy alternatives.
The President stressed that improving electricity supply remains a strategic priority of his administration, noting that reforms were being implemented to strengthen the national grid and reduce system collapse risks that have historically affected businesses and households.
“No modern economy can grow in darkness,” Tinubu said, underscoring the importance of stable electricity to industrial productivity, small business expansion, and national competitiveness.
He added that the administration was determined to “power Nigeria into a new era of industrial growth and economic opportunity,” arguing that improved electricity supply would catalyze manufacturing expansion, digital innovation, and broader economic diversification.
Tinubu said the government was also clearing legacy obligations in the sector, including outstanding debts that have constrained investor confidence and weakened operational efficiency across the electricity value chain.
He noted that ongoing reforms are aimed at restoring financial stability within the sector, attracting private capital, and encouraging long-term infrastructure development.
According to him, improved coordination between federal and sub-national governments, alongside regulatory adjustments, is expected to enhance efficiency and accountability in the electricity supply system.
The President said transmission infrastructure is being expanded to improve national grid reliability and reduce bottlenecks that have historically limited the evacuation of generated power to end users.
He also highlighted ongoing investments in renewable energy, stating that diversification of Nigeria’s energy mix is critical to ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience in the sector.
Tinubu said the reforms are expected to improve electricity access for households, support small and medium-scale enterprises, and enhance productivity across key sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, and services.
He stressed that energy reform is inseparable from Nigeria’s broader economic recovery plan, noting that without a reliable power supply, other investments in roads, housing, agriculture, and digital infrastructure would not achieve their full impact.
The President’s remarks come amid wider reforms across the economy, which he said have begun to stabilise macroeconomic indicators, restore investor confidence, and improve fiscal coordination between tiers of government.
Tinubu maintained that although Nigerians had endured significant economic hardship due to reforms in fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, the measures were necessary to correct long-standing distortions and prevent a deeper fiscal crisis.
He said early signs of recovery are now visible across multiple sectors, including infrastructure development, capital market growth, and increased investment inflows.
On infrastructure, the President disclosed that over 2,700 kilometres of roads and highways are currently under construction or rehabilitation nationwide, while rail modernisation projects are also ongoing to improve connectivity and logistics efficiency.
In the energy sector more broadly, he said reforms had attracted renewed investor interest, particularly in oil, gas, and domestic refining capacity, helping to strengthen Nigeria’s energy security and reduce dependence on imports.
Tinubu added that agricultural interventions, housing programmes, and student loan initiatives were part of a coordinated strategy to cushion the effects of reforms while expanding access to economic opportunities.
He reiterated that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has supported over 1.5 million students, while housing initiatives are delivering thousands of units across multiple states, generating employment and stimulating construction activity.
The President also emphasised that security remains a central pillar of national development, noting that improved stability is essential for economic growth and investment attraction.
He assured Nigerians that his administration would continue to intensify efforts to combat insecurity across the country, reinforcing intelligence, surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain patient and committed to the reform process, insisting that the foundation for long-term industrial revival and economic stability has been laid.
“We have not solved every problem, and we are not yet where we want to be. But the foundation for recovery has been laid,” he said.
He reaffirmed his optimism that Nigeria would emerge stronger and more industrially competitive in the coming years, driven by sustained reforms in power, infrastructure, and economic governance.
