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Economy

10 Ways To Improve Power Supply And Utilization In Nigeria

The issue of poor power supply is one that Nigerians have lived with for decades now. Solutions to this seemingly unending problem of inadequate or even total lack of power (in some places) have evaded several ministers of power, over the years. Several measures have been put in place to check this issue. However, these measures have made little or no impact.

In 2006, the Federal Government led by Olusegun Obasanjo changed the previous National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).


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The expectation for the new power company was to produce 4,000 megawatts by the end of 2006. However, this target was not realised.

Read Also: How to Pay PHCN (NEPA) Electricity Bill Online in Nigeria

10 Ways To Improve Power Supply And Utilization In Nigeria
Improving Power Supply in Nigeria – Photo Source:https://manly.ng

In 2013, the Federal Government sold PHCN. The company was sold to various companies called Local Electric Distribution Companies.

Currently, there are about 11 of such entities supplying power across Nigeria.  Unfortunately, in spite of all these changes, the power sector is still as pathetic as ever. We still have problems of power supply in Nigeria.

There are several effects of poor power supply in Nigeria. However, the most felt effect is on entrepreneurship and industrialization, as most, if not all businesses, need electricity to function.

In a bid to tackle this electricity problem, here are 10 ways to improve power supply and utilization in Nigeria.

1. Study Advanced Countries

There are so many countries that have succeeded in having 24 hours electricity supply, year in and year out. One of such countries is the United States of America.

It would go a long way if Nigeria can work with the United States to fix this perennial problem. A team of engineers could be sent to the US to understudy their method of power generation and supply and that model can be adapted in Nigeria to curb inadequate power supply in Nigeria.

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2. Public/Private Collaboration 

One of the present complaints about the electricity distribution companies is their irregular billing which many Nigerians term exorbitant.

Nigerians complain that power supply has greatly dropped but monthly electricity bills have skyrocketed. They also lament that meters are never checked and bills are estimated out of the blues.

It is therefore important that the government does not alienate itself completely from power distribution in the country.

Instead, there should be a synergy between the public and private sectors to cushion the effects of epileptic power supply in Nigeria.

Read Also: How to Start Electrical Business in Nigeria

3. Renewable Energy

The modern means of power generation is renewable energy. Renewable energy can be defined as power generated through natural agents that are easily replenished.

Types of renewable energy include solar, hydropower and wind turbines. Many countries have moved from using gas to the use of renewable energy.

It would be great if Nigeria joined such countries. Presently, the popular form of renewable energy used in Nigeria is solar power.

Even then, solar power supply has not yet spread to the general public because it is expensive. Renewable energy may well be the solution to electricity problem in Nigeria.

4. Upgrade Of Transmission Equipment

Nigeria is under producing electricity, presently. This is not necessarily from non-availability of power plants. It is as a result of the fact that some of these power plants do not work.

The power generated nationwide thus drops because of the non-functional plants. In order to fix this problem, the available power plants and other equipment for the generation and distribution of electricity should be fixed and properly maintained.

5. Stop Vandalism

This is one song that has been sung by the Federal Government, over the years. Vandalism is one of the causes of poor power supply in Nigeria.

Yet, many people do not realise the havoc they commit by vandalising pipelines. Stealing petroleum from the vandalised pipelines is equivalent to making production short as the stolen oil cannot be accounted for.

Plus, it is a live threat to human lives and dangerous for the environment. In effect, when people destroy the pipelines in order to steal petrol for themselves, they are creating a problem. They are indirectly reducing the quantity of power generated in the country.

Read Also: How to Start Electrical Business in Nigeria

6. Diversification Of Power Source

It is unrealistic to overburden one source of power supply and expect it to be sufficient for the entire nation. It is high time Nigeria alternated among different types of power sources.

Now that different entities are in charge of supplying electricity in various parts of the country, it is possible for them to use different sources.

For example, Eko Electricity Distribution Company could supply electricity got from wind power plant, while their counterpart in Yola could use hydro power.

The companies do not all have to use just one source of power or else, it will be quickly depleted and Nigeria will remain in darkness.

7. Power Conserving Appliances

I suggest that more Nigerians should use power conserving appliances such as LED bulbs, energy efficient refrigerators and power saving computers and televisions.

This would lead to the use of less electricity, which would in turn lead to a wider spread of a specified kilowatt of power to more people across the country.

8. Nerc Must Be Effecient

National Electricity Regulatory Commission also known as NERC is the body responsible for regulating electricity in Nigeria.

This commission forms electricity tariffs, reviews power tariffs and promotes electricity policies, especially those that are environment friendly.

NERC also enforces standards in the creation and use of power. They regulate generation, transmission and distribution of energy within Nigeria.

This body that is assigned such responsibilities has to be up and doing, in order to improve power supply and utilization in the country.

Most people are concerned about the regulation of tariffs, because electricity distribution companies estimate their electricity usage and do not actually check their meters, most of the time. NERC should look into this matter and a host of others.

9. New Government Policies

Apart from NERC there are several other agencies that have control over power in Nigeria. They are: Federal Ministry of Power, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company Plc and Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company.

To improve the power sector, these agencies should come up with better policies that would build on efficient, past policies and do away with impractical and inefficient policies.

They should look at the challenges faced in all segments of the power sector and fix them holistically. Electricity generation, transmission and distribution must each be addressed in the new policies. Also, all policies must be enforced, in order to find a solution to epileptic power supply in Nigeria.

Read Also: Current Power Generation in Nigeri

10. Training Of Workers

Workers of the electricity companies should be trained from time to time. As the policies change and new equipment are introduced into the power sector, the workers must be kept abreast and up to date.

The power sector in Nigeria has been bedevilled by countless problems over the years. If these steps listed above are applied, there is a strong likelihood that there will be an improvement in the supply and utilization of power in Nigeria.

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Monica Vinne

Monica Ndili is a Content Developer at InfoGuideNIgeria.com. InfoGuide Nigeria is a team of Resource Persons and Consultants led by Ifiokobong Ibanga. Page maintained by Ifiokobong Ibanga. If you need a personal assistance on this topic, kindly contact us.

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