A fresh debate has erupted over Nigeria’s electricity sector after Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga challenged Peter Obi’s pledge to add 10,000 megawatts of power to the national grid if elected president in 2027.
Speaking during a television interview, Onanuga argued that Nigeria already has more installed electricity generation capacity than the figure Obi promised to deliver, insisting that the country’s power problems go beyond simply generating more megawatts.
According to him, Nigeria currently has an installed capacity of about 13,500 megawatts, but several challenges have prevented the country from fully utilizing that potential.
“Nigeria already has over 13,000MW in installed capacity, but structural issues have limited output,” Onanuga stated.
The presidential aide pointed to factors such as inadequate gas supply, huge debts owed to gas companies, and an aging national grid as some of the major obstacles affecting electricity delivery across the country.
He also highlighted reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including the signing of the Electricity Act, which allows states to generate, transmit and distribute power independently.
According to Onanuga, the policy is expected to make the power sector more competitive and attract greater investment in electricity infrastructure.
The comments come shortly after Peter Obi promised to significantly boost electricity generation and distribution within four years if elected in the 2027 presidential election.
The promise has sparked conversations among Nigerians, with many questioning whether the country’s power challenge is primarily about generation capacity or fixing long-standing structural problems in the sector.
As political discussions ahead of 2027 continue to gain momentum, electricity remains one of the issues likely to dominate public debate.
Source: Arise Television
