“Britain is making the same mistakes that led to Nigeria’s power crisis” — Badenoch

The leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has criticised Britain’s current energy direction, arguing that it mirrors policy mistakes that contributed to Nigeria’s long-standing electricity challenges.

In a post shared on Sunday, Badenoch said recent decisions by the Labour government resemble the conditions she observed while growing up in Nigeria. She pointed to what she described as excessive taxation, bureaucratic delays, and state interference as key factors that weaken energy systems. She also raised concerns about limited refining capacity and warnings of potential fuel shortages in the UK.

Badenoch directed readers to a detailed opinion piece she authored, where she expanded on her concerns about Britain’s energy strategy. In the article, she linked Nigeria’s persistent power shortages to policy missteps, stating that poor decisions prevented the country from fully benefiting from its oil resources.

“Energy is growth,” she wrote, noting that despite Nigeria’s natural resource wealth, unreliable electricity and recurring fuel scarcity hindered its development. She warned that Britain could face similar outcomes if current policies continue.

Badenoch criticised the use of subsidies as a primary response to energy challenges, arguing instead for increased domestic oil and gas production and a reduction in what she called “green taxes.” She said such measures are necessary to prevent industrial decline and reduce dependence on external energy sources.

She also questioned broader Western energy policies, suggesting that efforts to rapidly eliminate carbon from the energy mix have led to unintended consequences. According to her, these approaches have increased vulnerability rather than ensuring stability.

Her comments come at a time when Nigeria continues to experience irregular electricity supply, a situation often linked to structural and policy-related issues within the country’s energy sector.