Pressure Mounts on Tinubu Government to Revoke Discos’ Licenses Amid Epileptic Power Supply Crisis

Nigerians across the nation are escalating their demands on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to take decisive action by revoking the licenses of electricity distribution companies, known as Discos. The outcry comes amidst a worsening situation of epileptic power supply, plunging citizens into months of hardship.

Despite over a decade of post-privatization struggles in the power sector, consumers continue to endure paying for electricity they rarely receive. Darkness has become a common denominator nationwide, affecting cities like Lagos, Enugu, Abuja, Edo, and Kaduna.

With over 92 million out of Nigeria’s 200 million population lacking access to electricity, the country ranks among the lowest globally in terms of power availability. Despite having a generating capacity of 22,000 megawatts, Nigeria has consistently struggled to produce between 4,000 and 5,000 megawatts over the years, with recent months seeing a further decline.

The toll of poor electricity supply on businesses is staggering, with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria estimating losses of N10.1 trillion annually, nearly two percent of the country’s GDP.

While the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has threatened to revoke Discos’ licenses due to the continued decline in power supply, there remains a lack of coherent policy direction for the sector. Despite promises and pledges, blackouts persist, leaving many skeptical of government’s ability to deliver on its commitments.

Experts and stakeholders in the power sector emphasize the need for systemic reforms. Professor Wumi Iledare advocates for stronger institutions and a shift away from personality-focused governance. Others, like Kunle Olubiyo of the Nigerian Consumer Protection Network, call for a state of emergency declaration in the sector and a complete overhaul of the regulatory framework.

Adetayo Adegbemle, Convener of PowerUp Nigeria, highlights the urgent need to address liquidity issues and subsidies, suggesting a replacement of the Minister of Power due to perceived shortcomings in leadership.

Engr Yesufu underscores the importance of systematic reforms over a longer-term period, emphasizing the role of targeted subsidies and private sector involvement. Chinedu Amah of Spark Online echoes the sentiment for subsidy removal and job creation incentives to revitalize the sector.

Eze Onyekpere, Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice, believes the issue extends beyond revoking Disco’s licenses, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to tackle challenges across all aspects of the power value chain.

As pressure mounts on the Tinubu government to address the power crisis, Nigerians await concrete actions that will bring about tangible improvements in electricity supply and alleviate the burden on citizens and businesses alike.