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The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 13, Awka, AIG Abayomi Peter Oladapo, has emphasised the need for genuine communication and collaboration among security agencies ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.

AIG Oladapo made the call while hosting the Anambra Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Maku Olatunde, who paid him a familiarisation visit at the Zone 13 headquarters in Ukpo, Idemili North Local Government Area.

Olatunde condemned the tendency of some junior personnel to promote inter-agency rivalry. He urged senior officers to strengthen supervision and discipline to foster the spirit of esprit de corps across all security formations.

‘Gone are the days when one security agency could claim superiority over another,’ he said.

‘Security is not something any single agency can effectively handle. There must be synergy and cooperation to ensure that law-abiding citizens can go about their activities without fear.’

The AIG also underscored the importance of robust intelligence sharing among security agencies to guarantee a safe, secure, and credible election. He further advised operatives to prioritise their own safety while carrying out operations.

Acknowledging the challenge of corruption within security institutions, Oladapo urged agencies to intensify efforts to identify and root out bad elements from their ranks to strengthen professionalism and restore public confidence.

Earlier, the NSCDC Commandant reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to safeguarding lives, electoral materials, and critical national assets through sustained collaboration with sister agencies.

He explained that his visit aimed to deepen inter-agency understanding and to appreciate the police leadership for its continued support to the NSCDC, particularly in election security management.

‘The success of the forthcoming election depends on effective synergy among security agencies, stakeholders, and citizens,’ Olatunde said.

‘The NSCDC will maintain the highest level of professionalism to ensure the state’s continued peace and stability.’

He further advised residents to turn out en masse to exercise their civic rights, assuring that adequate security measures have been put in place by the NSCDC in collaboration with other security agencies to guarantee a peaceful atmosphere before, during, and after the election.

United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNA-Nigeria) has said broad and intentional collaboration at all levels of society is an essential ingredient, if United Nations Sustainable Development Goals were to be achieved by 2030.

These, among others, were submissions as UNA-Nigeria marked 80 years of United Nations (UN@80) and UNA-Nigeria Day in Lagos.

The two-day event with the theme: ‘Fostering Social Collaboration for Sustainable Future’, and sub-theme: ‘Shaping Our Future Together’, was held at Nigeria Institute of the International Affairs (NIIA).

President of UNA-Nigeria, Prof. Oluremi Olutimo, regretted that Africans tended to shun collaboration, a habit which he said had hindered development over the years.

‘There is this ugly belief that when you collaborate your idea will be stolen. Even if such ideas are stolen, it is for the benefit of the society because for someone to steal from you it means you are better than him.

‘We must resist the temptation to go to the grave with ideas that should have helped the society,’ he said. Promoting public private partnership with the slogan ‘Leave no one behind’, he added, was a project which everyone must key into.

Delivering his address, Prof. Efem Ubi, director of Studies at NIIA, said collaboration had become a sine qua non for survival, as no nation could go it alone.

In his fresh act of philanthropy and contribution to education infrastructure development, billionaire businessman and Chairman of First Bank Plc, Mr. Femi Otedola has announced a N4 billion donation for the building of Electrical Electronics Engineering block at the Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos.

Otedola, who is the Chancellor of the Augustine University, announced the capital investment and other donations yesterday at the 7th Convocation Ceremony of the institution.

At the event, the Nigerian entrepreneur also announced a N10 million cash gift to a physically-challenged graduating student from the department of philosophy,

Emmanuel Opeoluwa, who is on a wheelchair.

He said the completion of the building was expected by next convocation ceremony in 2026.

Otedola has been a major financial supporter of the university. He donated the Engineering Faculty Complex to the school, an edifice comprising four blocks, constructed at an estimated cost of N2 billion.

The first phase of the building was completed at a total of N670 million, and the facility was inaugurated in February 2023, and has been in use since then.

At the 5th convocation ceremony of the school in October 2023, Otedola donated N750 million to 750 returning and fresh students of Augustine University.

The money covered the students’ school fees for the 2023/2024 academic session.

Otedola announced the donation yesterday in an address shortly after his installation as the second Chancellor of the university during the school’s 5th Convocation Ceremony.

Equally at the time, he donated N140 million for the furnishing of the university’s Engineering Faculty building and another N110 million for the installation of street lights on the campus and purchase of a new standby power generator

But speaking at the convocation ceremony yesterday, where he announced the latest financial support to the university, Otedola said he noticed that the first phase of the Faculty of Engineering of the University, named after his mother, Dame Doja Otedola, has been put to good use.

However, confirming that the construction of the Electrical Electronics Engineering block has suffered significant delay, Otedola stated that ‘I wish to re-pledge my commitment to the Proprietor of the University and the University community to build this block whose current construction cost including furnishing has escalated to almost N4 Billion due to inflation.’

‘I hereby announce that I have brought with me a cheque of N500 million which I hereby present to the contractor. Based on the time schedule of the contract, it is hoped that the construction of the building will be completed by the time of our University’s 2026 convocation.

‘The Contractor and I signed the contract for the construction of the Electronics Engineering Block this morning. I hereby announce my donation to the University of the Electronics Engineering Block at the cost of N4 Billion Naira’, Otedola said.

Aside the monetary donations, Otedola also announced the presentation of 1,000 copies of his internationally-acclaimed best-selling book, ‘Making It Big’, to each of the students, faculty members and management of the Augustine University.

Addressing the graduating students, he reminded them that they would face new challenges in this phase of their life.

‘This is why I am presenting to each of you today a copy of my internationally acclaimed best-selling book ‘Making it Big’. In total I am donating 1000 copies of my book to each student of our university and all faculty members and management of the university’,

While celebrating the graduating students who received their First Degrees, Diploma Certificates, and various prizes and awards, Otedola said they have laboured diligently and persevered through challenges.

He said they have emerged not only with academic laurels but with the values of integrity, excellence, and compassion, values that define the Augustine University experience.

‘May I remind you that your journey does not end here. It begins anew, with greater responsibilities to your communities, your nation, and the world. Wherever you go, let your actions reflect the character and principles instilled in you by this great institution.

‘Be global in outlook but local in impact; be courageous in conviction but humble in service. As you go out into the world, carry the values of the motto of our University Pro Scientia et Moribus be with you.

‘Let your actions be guided by a commitment to excellence in all that you do, both in your personal and professional lives. Be a beacon of integrity, of kindness, and of service. Know that your education at Augustine University has prepared you to face the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and with grace.

‘As you leave here today, remember that you are not just representing yourselves, you are representing Augustine University and all that it stands for’, he admonished them.

He said Augustine University has in its ten years of existence grown from a humble beginning into a center of learning that stands tall among faith-based and private universities in Nigeria.

Otedola added that the university has stayed faithful to its mandate of nurturing the intellect, forming character, and inspiring service to humanity.

According to him, over the past ten years, Augustine University has demonstrated that true education goes beyond academic instruction.

He maintained that the school encompasses the formation of the whole person, intellectually, morally, and spiritually, noting that In a rapidly changing global landscape, the university continues to equip students with the knowledge and values necessary to thrive in a world without borders.

He said the 7th Convocation Ceremony was uniquely significant because it coincided with a season of new beginnings for the university as only last month, they welcomed the assumption of office of their 3rd Substantive Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Alaba Akinwale,, a distinguished scholar, priest, and administrator of great repute.

He said the day’s ceremony was also marked by the inauguration of the 2nd Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Rt. Hon. Dame Winifred Akpani, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Petroleum and Gas Company Limited.

Otedola noted that her emergence as Pro-Chancellor signals continuity in visionary leadership and commitment to good governance.

Multiple checkpoints are a menace on Nigeria’s border corridors. We have the word of stakeholders in Southwest corridors to illustrate that.

Ogun State House of Assembly recently called on police leadership to scale down 52 checkpoints erected on the Idiroko-Owode route, decrying the situation as oppressive and detrimental to the socio-economic wellbeing of residents and commuters in the border communities. The assembly made the call in a resolution, following a motion by member representing Ipokia/Idiroko state constituency.

The member, Bisi Oyedele, had said the proliferation of police checkpoints on the route subjected residents, motorists and traders to daily extortion, intimidation and unnecessary delays. He noted that checkpoints along the 20-kilometre stretch increased from about 20 to 52 within weeks, saying: ‘A trip that should ordinarily last 20 minutes now takes almost two hours due to endless interceptions by security officers who often demand bribe from drivers and traders. Transporters are most affected, paying up to ?1,000 per stop – a situation that has led to losses, protests and even a temporary local transport strike recently witnessed.’ He added: ‘The proliferation of checkpoints has crippled local businesses, increased transport fares and worsened the prices of goods and essential commodities in Ipokia Local Government and environs. Perishable goods now get damaged in transit due to unnecessary delays, while traders are forced to factor illegal payments into the cost of their wares, making life increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens.’

The assembly, in deliberations presided over by Speaker Daisi Elemide, deplored the multiplicity of checkpoints, describing the conduct of some officers manning them as abuse of authority. Its resolution urged Ogun police commissioner to reduce the checkpoints to a reasonable number as would yet guarantee security without inflicting hardship on innocent citizens. It also called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to engage the police command so to address the matter swiftly. The house further resolved to transmit the motion as a petition to the Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker, Police Inspector-General and the National Security Adviser for investigation and necessary action at the federal level.

Barely a week earlier, the Controller, Seme area command of Nigeria Customs, Wale Adenuga, said multiple checkpoints along Lagos-Badagry expressway were tarnishing the country’s image. Speaking at a stakeholder engagement with security agencies, traditional rulers, community representatives and business partners in Seme, he added that Customs would not rest until the checkpoints are reduced to the barest minimum on the corridor. ‘The time wasting along Lagos-Badagry expressway is disturbing. You will see many vehicles queueing for checking by security operatives. It is embarrassing to see as many as 10 Immigration, 20 Police and 15 Customs checkpoints doing same work along the expressway.’ He added: ‘We need to tell ourselves the bitter truth. The more we facilitate legitimate trade, the better for our country. When trade thrives, crime reduces.’

Those testimonies say it all.

Wolves sacked head coach Vitor Pereira on Sunday after failing to win any of their opening 10 Premier League games.

Pereira signed a new three-year deal in September after guiding Wanderers to safety last season and he bolstered the striking rank of the team with the signing of Nigeria international Tolu Arokodare in the summer.

However, a return of just two points so far this campaign has put the club’s eight-year stay in the top flight at serious risk.

A 3-0 defeat at Fulham on Saturday left Wolves eight points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table.

‘Wolves have parted company with head coach Vitor Pereira, after a winless start to the 2025/26 season,’ the club said in a statement. ‘Upon his arrival at Molineux last December, Pereira and his coaches made an immediate impact, guiding the team to a successful second half of the Premier League campaign.

‘However, results and performances this term have fallen below acceptable standards, and as a result a change in leadership was deemed necessary.’

After finishing 16th last season, Pereira had to cope with losing talismanic forward Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, while full-backs Rayan Ait-Nouri and Nelson Semedo also departed in the close season for Manchester City and Fenerbahce respectively.

Fan frustration has been building towards the club’s Chinese owners Fosun for some time over a perceived lack of investment in the squad.

Pereira had been a fan favourite in his early months in charge, often going to celebrate victories with supporters in pubs close to Molineux.

But that relationship soured this season and he had to be escorted away from an angry confrontation with supporters following last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Burnley.

‘Unfortunately, the start to this season has been a disappointment and, despite our strong desire to give the head coach time and matches to find an improvement, we have reached a point where we must make a change,’ added Wolves executive chairman Jeff Shi.

The management of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, has said it inherited a backlog of unaudited accounts but engaged external auditors who audited and released everything to the public.

The university’s Deputy Registrar and Head of Information, Media and Public Relations Unit, Abdullahi Datti, announced this in a statement while reacting to the allegations by the ADUSTECH branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The union had accused the university’s management of non-release of audited accounts.

Datti described the allegations as unfounded, saying ASUU intended to misinform the public and the Kano State government.

‘For the avoidance of doubt and contrary to claims of ASUU, the management, under the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai, on assumption of office, has vigorously pursued developmental projects and programmes intended to improve teaching and learning facilities and the working conditions of members of staff,’ he said.

‘With regards to the allegations of non-release of audited accounts, the Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai-led administration, on assumption of office in 2023, inherited a backlog of years 2020, 2021, and 2022 accounts that were not audited.

‘The management engaged external auditors who have audited the accounts from year 2020 to 2022 and these were released to the public; the 2023 accounts of the university are with the external auditors and the moment they submit their report, it will also be made available to the public.

‘To further clarify issues on the Budget Performance Report, ASUU is aware that the management could not have a Council Budget Monitoring Committee (BMC) that is responsible for the determination of the report, because it was dissolved after the dissolution of the fifth governing council.

‘However, with the reconstitution of the sixth governing council, a new Budget Monitoring Committee was constituted and has already considered the first and second quarter of 2025.

‘As for the recruitment of academic staff for newly established programmes and departments, the university’s management inherited new academic departments that were given a shaky foundation without adequate staffing, acute shortage of facilities and learning and teaching spaces,’ the management said.

The management submitted the request for recruitment of more staff and the government approved part of the request, which has impacted the successes recorded in the 2023 accreditation exercise by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

‘On the issue of reconnecting all sections of the university with the electricity, there was no time any section was disconnected but rather, the supply was rationalized due to the escalating cost of running the University on Band ‘A’,’ it added.

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold economic reforms, visionary policies and development programmes.

ýHe hailed the President’s critical role in transforming governance and driving national growth.

ýSpeaking at the City Boy Movement programme, an empowerment initiative benefiting over 200 Edo youths, Okpebholo highlighted Federal Government’s support as key to enabling ongoing infrastructure projects in Edo State, including the building of flyovers.

ýA statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, quoted the governor as saying: ‘These projects are made possible through the support of President Tinubu.

‘I urge Edo people to continue supporting the President, whose reforms, though tough, are essential for Nigeria’s progress.’

ýOkpebholo underscored his administration’s commitment to genuine development across Edo’s three senatorial districts.

ýHe pointed out a contrast with the previous government’s claims regarding education transformation.

ý’Our findings show otherwise. We are changing the narrative with reforms that have increased school enrolment and improved facilities and learning processes, so Edo children can compete globally.’

ýDeputy Governor Dennis Idahosa called on Edo youths to rally behind the City Boy Movement to ensure President Tinubu secures the highest votes in the Southsouth in the 2027 election.

ý’Edo State belongs to President Tinubu because he is a reliable and decisive leader.

ý’With the governor’s performance, opposition in Edo State will soon become history.’

ýMinister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, lauded Okpebholo’s development efforts, describing the event as a celebration of peace and progress in the state.

ýHighlighting the role of youth empowerment in government agenda, Olawande said: ‘Nigeria’s youths are its greatest asset. President Tinubu’s administration is committed to skill development platforms that enable young people to build better future for themselves and the nation.’

ýCommissioner for Education and City Boy Movement Director, Paddy Iyamu, praised President Tinubu for launching the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), ensuring no Edo child was denied education due to financial hardship.

ýHe also showcased Okpebholo’s achievements in just one year, including the building of 68 schools, sponsoring five students for studies in China, distributing N1billion in bursaries, and launching empowerment initiatives targeting market women and small businesses.

ýIyamu said: ‘Governor Okpebholo has delivered impressive results in infrastructure, education and job creation all within a short period.’

ýCity Boy Movement Director-General, Francis Oluwatosin, hailed the governor’s visionary and discreet leadership, noting strides in education, health care, security and infrastructure across Edo State.

ýHe also lauded President Tinubu’s ongoing economic reforms as ‘bold steps toward national restructuring and sustainable growth.’

ýOluwatosin affirmed the Movement’s political influence, saying: ‘The City Boy Movement is the largest socio-political youth platform in Africa, mobilising 10 million votes for President Tinubu in 2027 from the 36 states of the federation.’

ýThe programme was attended by government officials, youth leaders and stakeholders committed to advancing Edo State through strategic partnerships with the Federal Government and affirming youth participation in political and economic development.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has uncovered a clandestine laboratory where Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis is being produced in a residential building located at Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos, with large quantities of freshly cooked Colos and various precursor chemicals for drug production recovered. Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement yesterday, said the 30-year-old lab owner, Stephen Kelechi Imoh was arrested.

Babafemi said the discovery followed months of intelligence gathering on possible Colos laboratories in Lagos after NDLEA officers intercepted consignments of freshly produced Colos in March and May, a development that suggested that the dangerous psychoactive substance, which was hitherto imported into the country, was now locally produced.

According to the statement, the effort paid off last Thursday when NDLEA officers raided the residential apartment in Ajao Estate, Isolo which Kelechi converted to a laboratory for cooking Colos, a strain of cannabis produced with the psychoactive plant and various chemicals.

Recovered from the apartment include: freshly cooked Colos weighing 16.2 kilograms; ADB-CHMNACA Cannabinol -1.7kg; Potassium Carbonate -4.5kg and Dibromobutane – 91 litres, Babafemi said.

According to the statement, in another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Saturday raided the enclave of a 28-year-old drug dealer Afeez Salisu (alias Malu) in Mushin where 16 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis as well as designer sachets and bottles of Colorado weighing 16.4kg were recovered from him.

The statement reads: ‘A music artist Godspower George Osahenrumwen whose stage name is Steady Boy was on Thursday arrested by NDLEA operatives while attempting to take delivery of a large consignment of Loud, a strain of cannabis concealed inside three cartons of bathtub imported along with other items such as cloths and gadgets from New York, United States. This followed the seizure of the shipment which arrived the import shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos from US aboard a DHL flight on Tuesday.

Introduction

The views expressed herein are mine alone as a 45-year power sector expert since 1980. In addition, I have been the pioneer Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Chairman of the Disco Buyers Roundtable, Chairman of the Genco Buyers Group and the Chairman of the Board of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company. I remain an active member of the Nigerian power sector for 20 years since 2005. The principal focus of this contribution is the advocacy for steady electricity supply for State Capitals and the Federal Capital Territory (FTC) by 2030. The five-year goal is clear and measurable. It is also a good fit for the states to define early success by making their priority to provide steady lights for their capitals.

The Nigerian power problem is complex, multi-dimensional and difficult to solve because it is a ‘wicked problem.’ The paucity of power is behind the sector reforms. However, the goal of uninterrupted electricity supply as a national objective has remained elusive for 65 years since independence in 1960. The burning question on the minds of many is when will Nigeria have uninterrupted power?

This contribution is designed to give an answer to the puzzle of steady power in our great country. Since the advent of deregulation in 2005 and the privatisation of the sector in 2013, the electricity supply industry has struggled to implement solutions with less than stellar outcomes. As a result, the nation continues to be mired in power outages, inadequate power generation, unstable networks, lack of liquidity, deficiency of meters and financially struggling electricity distribution companies (DISCOs). The reality of poor sector performance has left the public with no choice but to disparage privatisation with palpable disquiet among electricity customers.

The wicked power problem defined

A wicked problem is a ‘term of act’ that is associated with intractable problems that tend to defy easy solutions. Wikipedia, the online reference platform makes reference to a wicked problem as ‘.a problem that is difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements that are often difficult to recognise.’wicked’ does not indicate evil, but rather resistance to resolution..’ Rittel and Webber also viewed wicked problems as problems with many interdependent factors, solutions are not true or false, only good or bad and ‘every trial counts.’ Furthermore, the problem has many stakeholders often with competing goals, consensus is difficult, there are no quick fixes, every solution impacts the entire ecosystem, solutions are expensive, .. making universal solutions difficult to achieve. I, therefore, make bold to say that our Nigerian power problem fits the characterisation herein presented.

A brief look back at privatisation

The earnest journey of privatisation is 20 years old, from 2005 to 2025 with mixed results. The nation should take a cue to avoid continuing with darkness as a way of life for another 20 years. The country did well when it took bold steps from 1999 to 2025 and reformed the power sector, driven principally by the desire to improve electricity supply efficiencies and adequate power generation. The power sector was decoupled or unbundled. And the electricity supply monopoly of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was broken. New market players and managers entered generation and distribution of electricity while transmission remained a Federal Government responsibility. There are also many stakeholders in the power sector of the country, namely: the Ministry of Power, the National Assembly, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Central Bank, the World Bank, the Rural Electrification Agency, Siemens Power Project, Presidential Power Initiative, Gencos, Discos, TCN, Independent System Operator, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET), Energy Commission of Nigeria, the Niger Power Holding Company, Nigerian Governors Forum, and the National Economic Council, Electricity Unions, customers, the National Assembly, the State Governments, and the Presidency and others

The legal and regulatory reforms

The National Assembly passed the first Electric Power Sector Reform Act in March 2005 as Reform 1.0 and the Act of 2023 as Reform 2.0. In the beginning of NERC, the pioneer commissioners had to deal with managing change and laying the foundation to give succor to investors. That tradition continued with subsequent NERC regimes that have achieved regulatory stability. The enactment of the Power Reform Act 2023 means that the national power malaise has been divided into 37 portions along state boundaries. Therefore, the focus has shifted from seeking national power solutions to state level interventions.

In retrospect, Reform 1.0 first created NERC and birthed the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). NERC vision remains on the provision of an enabling environment for the nation to enjoy safe, adequate, reliable and affordable electricity through promulgated rules and regulations. Furthermore, PHCN was changed and incorporated into limited liability companies under a 11-6-1 model comprised of eleven power distribution companies or Discos, six power generation companies or Gencos, and a single Transmission Company of Nigeria or TCN (one Disco sale failed). The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) subsequently steered the tender process that privatised (a mix of outright sale and concession agreements) Discos and Gencos in November 2013, leaving TCN under Federal Government control.

The power sector Reform 2.0 conferred regulatory authority to states of the federation. It also permitted the unbundling of TCN by the creation of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO).

The privatisation of Discos had a unique bidding model that departed from the common technical and financial bidding process. In this regard, all Disco Bidders were ‘price takers’ in economic terms, meaning that the Disco prices were non-negotiable. The government fixed both the sale prices and set the losses for the Discos. As a result, the Preferred Bidders were selected based on who tendered the highest reduction in Average Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC and C) losses over five years. A vexing issue that arose from the onset was the inability of buyers to thoroughly conduct their due diligence on the assets for several reasons beyond this discussion. By inference, buyers bought the power problem and were handed ‘airplane black boxes’ to analyse and fix the root problems of a beleaguered sector.

Although the power sector had become privatised in 2013 the government acted responsibly through ‘infant industry’ support and paid labour severances and provisioned for the payment of PHCN legacy liabilities among other substantive financial and material support. The Central Bank, the World Bank and others also assisted the sector to improve performance. However, despite the regulatory reforms that gave birth to the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO), encouraged independent power generation, eligible customers, and embedded power generation among other innovations, the power sector is still unattractive for new investment. It is weighed down by huge energy supply and metering gaps, high ATC and C losses, and power theft, to mention a few. The other culprits are the perennial power generation deficit and persistent inequality between the electricity supplied and the revenue collected from customers to pay other market participants in the electricity supply value chain of the nation.

Preserving the regulatory bargain

Largely, NERC has safeguarded regulatory certainty, notwithstanding a few regulatory summersaults and interferences by the proverbial invisible hand. Successive NERC regimes have not cancelled the foundational regulations promulgated from 2005 but instead the scope of regulations has been expanded with innovations guided by the demands of the market (see www.nerc.org.ng). As a critical national institution, NERC is internationally well regarded as a beacon of good public rulemaking and acclaimed transparency. Although not yet successful, the government on its part has stayed the course with privatisation and it should not reverse it. The power sector reform process is like building a bridge which must be completed for the benefits to be achieved.

A new way forward

Another question on the minds of many is has power sector privatisation yielded the intended benefits? If not, what is the way forward. The 20-year report has fallen short of expectations. The global success formula of power sold is equal to revenue is not being met. After 20 years of experience in power sector reforms, an ‘ex post’ review of progress should inform the powers that be to look back at what has happened and develop new methods to drive success in the power sector with a commonsense approach.

The fact is that the economy and every citizen are affected by epileptic power supply. Unfortunately, the electricity supply industry that owns generation, transmission and distribution or stakeholders cannot individually solve the problem. It requires collective and concerted effort by all parties/stakeholders previously mentioned. Among the sector multiple players are the following: NERC, 11 Discos, Aba Power, privatised and concessioned Gencos, TCN owned by FGN, Presidential Power Initiative, Siemens Energy Project, the Nigerian Governors Forum, the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Rural Electrification Agency, Niger Power Holding Company, the Systems Operator, Electricity Unions, customers, the National Assembly, the State Governments, and the Presidency and others. From the preceding, I am advocating that all the stakeholders should join hands with a unified power sector solution that is proven, clear, easy to understand and easy to measure.

Steady power for proposal for 36 state capitals and the FCT by 2030

I will not address all the multitude of problems and possible solutions that can be offered to solve the power problem. Instead, since a wicked problem solution choice is either better or worse. A worse solution is for the nation and the power sector to continue business as usual, and a better solution is to try something different. The better solution proposed is the adoption of city-by-city steady power commitment starting with providing steady power to 36 state capitals and the FCT by 2030. Now no one can dare predict when the nation will achieve steady power (a hallmark of a wicked problem). However, with the 2030 capital city power idea, the goal of realising steady power for 37 major cities with more than half the population is clear and achievable (see Table 1 below). This approach is like the mobile phone market entry model where service rollouts starts in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Ibadan. Naturally, Discos will not freeze services to other customers. It will simply provide a power barometer for all to see progress since electricity must be produced and used in real time. One of the early visible results would be improved Disco cash flows and high transfer of payments from self-generators of electricity who would switch back to grid power once it is reliable. For most users, power generation is not their core business. To that end, and without fear of contradiction, when steady power happens, I predict that there will be open celebrations.

The principle of city-by-city electrification is tested and followed by all countries that have achieved steady power. Why not Nigeria. It is better to eat apples, birthday cakes or pizza slice by slice. This offers an opening to break from the past and deliver steady electricity first where more people are concentrated and that would be in the capital cities of our states and the FCT. From Table 1 above, it is assumed that 55 per cent of the people reside in state capitals or over 98 million people nationwide. Therefore, it is a good target to plan and deliver steady power in the first instance.

The state capitals in each DISCO are discreet urban cities, and success can easily be measured. In addition, the Local Government Areas (LGAs) are also shown and make it numerically easy to partner with REA to electrify them with solar power or hybrid power solutions. If the focus is first on state capitals followed by LGAs, it would become possible to predict when Nigeria would substantially attain steady power. Until then, it is elusive and daring to envisage steady power soon and that should not continue.

The implementation architecture: FGN, NERC, States, Gencos, TCN and Discos

The wicked problem of the power sector is also a systemic problem because it affects the entire economy. Therefore, all stakeholders are recommended to work together to solve the problem. By inference, all existing power support initiatives in the country should work in unison on providing capital cities steady power by 2030. It would be important to recognise that although the power sector has been liberalised for 20 years, there are still links between federal, state and organised private sector. It is only through a joint effort that the interest of all sector players would be adequately addressed.

The key success factors are close cooperation between all the parties, revenue/liquidity boost, customer enumeration, pay-as-you-go meters (Governors should consider investing in smart meters which are cheaper than transformers), power demand forecast, bilateral power contracts, rebalancing the networks, systems and feeder digitalization and data analytics. The challenges notwithstanding, the 37 capital cities steady power by 2030 as articulated herein is a better roadmap to achieving uninterrupted electricity supply in our great nation.

It is a clear objective and well defined with a clear timeline of 5 years from 2026 to 2030. It might even be good for the nation to see some competitive tension about which city will be the first to have steady power. It is my submission that there will be celebrations for every city that attains steady power.

Business and economic experts have identified critical catalysts necessary for accelerated growth of the nation’s economy towards the $1 trillion target by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Experts who spoke at the 8th Triennial Delegates Conference of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) at the NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos, were unanimous that in achieving the $1 trillion economy target, there must be policy consistency, corporate governance reforms, human capital investment, and sustained innovation.

The conference, themed: ‘Nigeria: Towards a $1 Trillion Economy by 2030,’ brought together policymakers, regulators, investors, and business leaders to deliberate on strategies for achieving sustainable national growth.

Experts also underscored the need for synergy among government institutions, regulators, and private sector players in executing Nigeria’s economic blueprint.

National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr Moses Igbrude said corporate governance, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration are important in achieving Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

According to him, transparency, accountability, and ethical governance are critical elements in nation-building.

He described the conference as a platform for shaping policies and sharing ideas that would accelerate Nigeria’s economic transformation.

‘This conference provides a platform for us to engage in meaningful discussions, share knowledge, and shape policies that will drive our nation’s economic growth.

As shareholders, our duty extends beyond dividends; we must contribute to building a more stable and prosperous economy,’ Igbrude said.

He expressed appreciation to partners, sponsors, and participants for supporting the event, urging all stakeholders to collaborate toward Nigeria’s economic advancement.

Delivering a paper titled ‘The Strategic Role of Insurance in National Development,’ Mr. Ajibola Bankole, Director of Inspectorate at the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), highlighted the pivotal role of the insurance sector in fostering economic stability and investor confidence.

Bankole noted that despite its potential, Nigeria’s insurance penetration remains below one per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a situation that calls for urgent reform.

He pointed to the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 as a milestone initiative aimed at strengthening governance, capital adequacy, and consumer protection in the industry.

‘The NIIRA 2025 introduces far-reaching provisions designed to create a transparent, competitive, and investment-friendly insurance market. These reforms are not just about compliance, they are about confidence, stability, and long-term value creation,’ Bankole said.

He called for stronger collaboration between insurers, shareholders, and policymakers to unlock growth in key sectors such as health, agriculture, and infrastructure, noting that a vibrant insurance industry could serve as a catalyst for inclusive economic development.

On cybersecurity, Dr Martin Ikpehai, a cybersecurity expert, presented a paper titled: ‘Securing and Protecting the $1 Trillion Economy against Cyber Terrorism by 2030.’

He warned that Nigeria’s digital vulnerabilities could undermine its trillion-dollar ambition if robust cybersecurity measures are not embedded in national planning.

Drawing parallels with Australia’s digital economy framework, Ikpehai stressed that cybersecurity investment should be viewed as an enabler of growth and investor confidence rather than a cost.

‘To achieve a trillion-dollar economy, Nigeria must embed cybersecurity into every aspect of its economic planning.

Digital resilience is now synonymous with economic resilience,’ Ikpehai said.

He called for the establishment of national cybersecurity standards, improved incident response systems, and greater public-private collaboration to mitigate digital risks.

He also recommended more investment in cyber education and measures to secure emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G infrastructure.

Reaffirming ISAN’s commitment to responsible investing and shareholder protection, Igbrude urged all stakeholders to act decisively toward shared prosperity.

‘Let us seize this opportunity to work together towards a brighter economic future for Nigeria. Our collective action today will determine the prosperity of tomorrow,’ Igbrude said.