General News
Power Sector Reforms: States, Private Investors Must Drive Electricity Revolution, Eka Williams Tells Nigerians
By Iyojo Ameh
Chairman of the Forum of Power and Energy Commissioners in Nigeria and Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Hon. Prince Eka Williams, has called for greater collaboration among state governments, the private sector and communities to accelerate electricity access, saying Nigeria’s power sector reforms can only succeed through shared responsibility.
Speaking at an interactive session with members of the Abuja Power and Energy Correspondents on Thursday in Abuja, Williams described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decentralisation of the electricity market as a major policy shift capable of attracting investment and expanding electricity supply across the country.
He said the reforms provide an opportunity for states to take greater responsibility for electricity generation and distribution while encouraging private investors to participate in developing critical power infrastructure.
“The challenge of electricity should not be left to the Federal Government alone,” Williams said. “Private individuals, corporate organisations and state governments must work together by investing in power infrastructure across communities. Providing electricity must become everyone’s responsibility.”
According to him, the decentralisation of the electricity market would stimulate competition, improve service delivery and unlock new investment opportunities in the sector.
Williams, who also serves as Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy in Cross River State, acknowledged that power infrastructure development requires significant capital investment and long implementation timelines, urging Nigerians to be patient as the reforms mature.
He noted that while the benefits may not be immediate, the ongoing reforms are designed to deliver sustainable improvements in electricity supply over the long term.
The forum chairman also advocated increased investment in renewable energy, urging states and private investors to develop small-scale electricity projects capable of supplying local communities.
He identified solar, wind and biomass energy as viable alternatives for expanding off-grid electricity generation and improving access to power, particularly in underserved areas.
Williams said the Electricity Act 2023 has created the legal framework for states to participate more actively in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, describing the legislation as a landmark reform for the sector.
He further commended the Minister of Power for inaugurating a nine-member committee to address implementation challenges associated with electricity market decentralisation and develop practical recommendations for strengthening the reform process.
The commissioner also praised state governments already investing in improving electricity supply within their jurisdictions and appealed to leading Nigerian industrialists to support the sector.
Specifically, he called on President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and other major investors to channel more investments into electricity infrastructure to help bridge Nigeria’s power deficit.
Williams expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments, private investors and citizens would significantly improve electricity access and move Nigeria closer to achieving universal power supply.
