PRESIDENT TINUBU REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO POWER SECTOR REFORM IN MEETING WITH SIEMENS

President Bola Tinubu has assured Siemens Energy of his administration’s full dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s electricity supply to improve the livelihoods of citizens. The President made this commitment during a meeting with a delegation from Siemens Energy at the State House in Abuja on Monday.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) Bayo Onanuga detailed that President Tinubu emphasized the power sector’s critical role in stimulating the economy, particularly in industrial, educational, and healthcare sectors. The President stated, “There is no industrial growth or economic development without power. I believe that power is the most significant discovery of humanity in the last 1,000 years. We appreciate the partnership on the initiative. The progress of the project to date is notable, and we can feel it. But it is not where we want it to be.” He added that the government is taking power very seriously and directed the expansion of major transformer substations from two to three phases to boost supply.0

Onanuga reported that the meeting was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser on Energy Olu Verheijen. President Tinubu highlighted that completing the phased power project would harness Nigeria’s latent potential and give the country a place of pride on the continent. He said, “We are all inspired and happy. This is what we want to achieve on the continent. We want everyone to see the glory of our economic recovery and banishment of poverty.” The President assured that resources would be provided for the power project.

Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu provided updates on the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), noting milestones such as the decentralization and liberalization of the sector, the signing of the Electricity Act 2023, and the development of a National Integrated Electricity Policy after 24 years, attracting over $2 billion in fresh investments. He stated that under the Pilot phase, Siemens Energy delivered and commissioned 10 units of 132/33kV mobile substations, three units of 75/100MVA transformers, and seven units of 60/66MVA transformers, adding 984MW of transmission capacity. Adelabu informed that the Federal Executive Council approved the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contract for Phase One, Batch One, covering substations in Abeokuta, Offa, Ayede-Ibadan, Sokoto, and Onitsha, with two substations targeted for completion by end of 2026. He added that Phase One, Batch Two involves six Brownfield and ten Greenfield substations with a cumulative impact of 4,104MW.

Minister of Finance Wale Edun stated that the PPI’s completion would enhance ease of doing business, create jobs, and reduce poverty. Siemens Energy Managing Director for Middle East and Africa Dietmar Siersdorfer confirmed that two of the five substations under Batch One are expected by December 2026 and mentioned a training center under construction to develop local talents in electrical engineering. Siersdorfer said, “The PPI is not just a project but a platform for long-term development and prosperity,” noting that it would transform Nigeria into a regional power hub and create thousands of jobs. The German Ambassador’s representative, Johannes Lehne, pledged continued support from Germany.

Onanuga further highlighted that the President acknowledged the support of the German government and Siemens, aligning with Nigeria’s future. The statement underscored the government’s resolve to ensure the power project’s success for economic growth and poverty reduction.