NEC Takes Action To Prevent Grid Failures, Establishes Committee For National Electrification Plan

NEC Takes Action To Prevent Grid Failures, Establishes Committee For National Electrification PlanThe National Economic Council (NEC) has taken decisive steps to address the persistent collapse of Nigeria’s power grid by reinforcing the implementation of the National Electrification Strategy. This move aims to ensure more reliable and equitable access to electricity across the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Chairing the 146th NEC meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized that access to energy is a fundamental right, not a privilege, describing electricity as the “oxygen of economic growth.” In this context, he stressed the critical importance of accelerating efforts to improve the nation’s energy infrastructure.

As part of its commitment, the NEC has established a new National Electrification Committee tasked with tackling the challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector. The committee, chaired by Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, will focus on enhancing states’ participation in the Electricity Reform Act of 2023 and the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan.

The committee’s goal is to help ensure that states are more actively involved in reforming the energy sector, particularly by enabling broader access to affordable and reliable electricity tailored to regional needs. The committee’s members include Governors Dikko Radda of Katsina, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, alongside key ministers and officials from the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Power, and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

During the meeting, Shettima highlighted several pressing issues requiring immediate attention, including energy infrastructure, human capital development, fiscal strategy, and the creative industries. He explained that the recent power grid collapses underscore the urgent need to advance the National Electrification Strategy to boost energy access and empower rural communities.

“Energy access is a fundamental right, not a privilege. It is the oxygen of economic growth,” Shettima said. He underscored the need for a private-sector-led, distributed renewable energy approach to improve electricity access, especially for households and small businesses.

The Vice President also called for greater focus on Nigeria’s creative industries, which he sees as an untapped avenue for economic transformation. With the rise of new technologies, Nigeria’s arts, culture, and entertainment sectors have gained global prominence, opening up new revenue streams and job opportunities for young Nigerians. Shettima stressed the importance of turning creativity into economic wealth, empowering youth, and positioning Nigeria as a hub of innovation and cultural excellence.

Additionally, the NEC discussed the establishment of state police, with a consensus expected by the next meeting. States that have yet to submit their position on the issue were instructed to do so within the next week, allowing for a unified stance on the matter in the upcoming session.

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