Peter Obi Outlines Realistic Power Sector Goals

NDC Presidential Candidate Peter Obi has said it would be unrealistic to promise 24-hour electricity across Nigeria within a single four-year term. Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Sunday, July 26, Obi explained that the country’s power infrastructure needs time to develop. He noted that building new power plants and upgrading transmission networks cannot happen overnight. Power sector reforms remain central to his plan, with the Power sector reforms agenda focused on practical and achievable progress. According to Obi, Power sector reforms should be based on honest commitments rather than unrealistic expectations.

“24-hour electricity within 4 years is impossible. If you want to build a power plant, it takes about 4 years. Improving transmission lines also takes years.”

Instead of making promises he believes cannot be fulfilled, Peter Obi said his administration would work to ensure Nigeria can generate, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity within four years.

“But within 4 years, we will ensure we can generate, transmit, and distribute not less than 10,000 Megawatts.”

The former Anambra State governor said this target would be achieved through embedded power projects. He pointed to Geometric Power in Aba as a working example and said similar projects should be introduced in places such as Kano to support industries in Bompai and Sharada. He added that Power sector reforms would help strengthen industrial growth and improve electricity access across the country.

“We will do it through embedded power. Look at what Geometric Power is doing in Aba—we need to replicate that in locations like Kano to drive the industries in Bompai and Sharada.”

Obi also urged the government to clear the trillions of naira owed to electricity generation companies. He said restoring confidence in the sector would attract more investment and improve performance.

“Today, the government owes generating companies trillions of Naira. We must pay them. Our politics must change; if I don’t deliver what I promise, I will come out and explain to the people what is going wrong.”

Do you think Nigeria can achieve 10,000 megawatts within four years through embedded power projects?