Principal officers of Nigeria’s Senate have allocated billions of naira in constituency projects to themselves in the 2024 budget, according to Premium Times.

The projects, known as Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP), are intended for development initiatives across the 109 senatorial districts in the country. 

The report revealed that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, representing the North-West Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State, allocated ₦4.142 billion worth of projects to his constituency alone.

These projects, along with others, are part of the ZIP program, which aims to bring federal projects to local communities through lawmakers’ initiatives.

Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin’s Kano North Senatorial District also saw significant allocations, along with other key Senate officers.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Senate Leader, Oyelola Ashiru, ex-Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, Minority Leader, Abba Moro, and Deputy Minority Leader, Oyewunmi Olalere were among the top beneficiaries.

However, the platform raised concerns about the transparency and clarity of the budget allocations.

Many of the projects were found to have vague descriptions and locations, with some listed under suspicious sub-heads.

The budget document did not indicate whether the lawmakers nominated these projects, despite them being located in their respective constituencies.

Barau Jibrin (Kano North)

PREMIUM TIMES identified several projects worth billions of naira whose specific locations are unclear.

For instance, ₦250 million was allocated for the “Construction of rural roads in some selected communities in Kano State”.

The local government areas and specific communities where the project will be sited were not stated. Several others were not credited to any communities.

The projects and their costs are:

-₦190 million for “Human Capital Development and Strategic Empowerment with Capital and Motorcycles in Kano State.

Audience Survey

-₦250 million for “Provision of Solar Borehole in various wards in Dala LGA, Kano State.”

-₦60 million for construction of classrooms in Kadawa Ungogo LGA, Kano State.

– ₦20 million for “Training and employment of youth and women and supply of sewing machines in Gwarzo/Kabo LGAs of Kano State”.

Mr Jibrin is from Kano State and the deputy senate president.

Barau’s clear project

The review showed that only one project was clearly allocated to Mr Jibirin’s Kano North. The project is:

-₦190 million for “Provision of empowerment items to farmers to boost dry season farming, traders and other artisans (LOT 1&2) in Kano North Senatorial District”. The project is listed under NBRRI.

Bamidele Opeyemi (Ekiti Central)

Six projects worth ₦1.472 billion were allocated to the Ekiti Central Senatorial District, which Mr Opeyemi represents.

However, the only difference here is that the projects have locations, even though some are under irrelevant government agencies.

Projects listed for Mr Opeyemi’s constituency are:

-₦200 million for “Supply of education materials to students in selected schools in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.” The project is listed under Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan.

-₦150 million for “Grants for unemployed youths and women in selected areas of Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”

-₦200 million for “Procurement of agric inputs and employment of farmers in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”

-₦232 million for “Provision of agric food farm inputs and empowerment for youths and women in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”

-₦218 million for “Provision of agric and farm inputs for cooperatives in Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ijero LGAs of Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”

-₦250 million for “Provision of agric and farm inputs for cooperatives in Ado, Efon, and Ekiti-west LGAs of Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”

-₦222 million for “Capacity building training and supply of sewing machines, block moulding machines, cassava grinding machines and pepper grinding machines for artisans in selected areas of Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”

Oyelola Ashiru (Kwara South)

Eleven projects worth ₦1.8 billion were allocated to Kwara South Senatorial District, which Mr Ashiru represents.

Like Mr Bamidele, some projects here are listed under irrelevant organisations for execution.

They are:

-₦250 million for “Construction of community road in Ayaba area of Essa Ward in Kwara South, Kwara South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under the main ministry.

-₦250 million for “Construction and equipping of ICT centres in selected communities of Kwara South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under the National Productivity Centre.

-₦100 million for “Construction and rehabilitation of rural road and pavement in Popo Market, Offa, Kwara South (PHASE 2)”. The project is listed under the National Productivity Centre.

-₦100 million for “Renovation and equipping of Esie/Iludun Secondary School in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara South”. The project is listed under the National Productivity Centre.

-₦100 million for “Renovation of Oro Ago, Omupo, Erinle-Ile, Omu-Aran and Ajasse Kinship’s palace in Kwara South.” The project is listed under the National Productivity Centre.

-₦200 million for “Medical outreach for disabled and elderly people in selected areas of Kwara South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under Aquatictic Bio-Resources Training Centre Tunari, Taraba State.

-₦100 million for “Provision of medical supplies to Primary Health Care and Maternity Centres in Kwara South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under Aquatictic Bio-Resources Training Centre Tunari, Taraba State.

-₦100 million for “Construction of motorised boreholes across communities in Isin Local Government area of Kwara South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under Niger RBDA.

Ali Ndume (Borno South)

Three projects worth ₦722 million were allocated to the Borno South Senatorial District, which Mr Ndume represents.

The controversial senator has lost his Senate Whip position to Tahir Monguno (Borno North) after he fiercely criticised President Bola Tinubu’s policies.

The projects his constituency benefitted from are:

-₦500 million for “Construction of roads, drainages and culverts in Borno South Senatorial District. The project is listed under Housing.

-₦122 million for “Provision of tricycle pick up vans in Borno South Senatorial District, Borno State. The project is listed under the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology Zaria (NARICT)

-₦100 million for “Provision of tricycle (Keke NAPEP) in Borno South Senatorial District, Borno State. The project is listed under the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria. (NARICT)

Abba Moro (Benue South)

Eight projects worth N1.180 billion were allocated to Benue South Senatorial District, which Mr Moro represents.

Mr Moro became the minority leader a few months after the Court of Appeal sacked its former occupant, Simon Mwadkwon.

Like Mr Bamidele, some projects here are listed under irrelevant organisations.

They are:

-₦200 million for “Electrification of Uwokwu, Benue South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under Bio-Resources Development Centre, Makurdi.

-₦50 million for “Completion of Ublegbe-Odebe-Otto electrification Ogbadigbo, Benue South Senatorial District”. The project is under the Bio-Resources Development Centre, Makurdi.

-₦20 million for “Completion of Ago electrification of Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue South Senatorial District “. The project is under the Bio-Resource Development Centre, Makurdi.

-₦500 million for “Training of Youths in Agricultural value chain skills acquisition in Benue South Senatorial District”. The project is under SHEDA.

-₦200 million for the “Construction of internal road in Ugbokolo using Interlocking blocks Okpokwu LGA, Benue South Senatorial District”. This project is listed under BCDA.

-₦20 million for “Completion of Ekpemgbe electrification, Ado LGA Benue South Senatorial District “. The project is under BCDA.

-₦140 million for “Purchase of drugs for various health care centres in Benue South Senatorial District”. The project is under BCDA.

-₦50 million for “Emergency repairs on a 12KM road Aikpla-Ihilikpa, Benue South Senatorial District”. The project is under BCDA.

Oyewunmi Olalere (Osun West)

Six projects worth ₦1.130 billion were allocated to the Osun West Senatorial District, which Mr Oyeunmi represents.

They are:

-₦200 million for “Provision of solar street lights in Iwo, Ede and Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun West Senatorial District.”

The project is listed under NBRRI.

-₦200 million for “Grants to vulnerable people, widows, and aged-people and physically challenged in Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State”. The project is listed under the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Ilorin (NSPRI).

-₦100 million for “Purchase and distribution of motorcycles to youths in Ola-Oluwa, Isokan and Ejigbo local government areas of Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State”. The project is listed under the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Ilorin (NSPRI).

-₦230 million for “Solar powered street lights in selected communities in Osun West Senatorial District”. The project is listed under the National Institute for Construction Technology and Management, Uromi.

-₦300 million for “Purchase and distribution of korope buses, and motorcycles to transport workers in selected communities of Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State”. The project is listed under the Nigerian Institute of Construction Technology and Management, Uromi.

-₦200 million for “Supply and installation of transformers at Ejigbo, Owode, Gbogan, Apomu and other critical areas in Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State”. The project is listed under the National Centre for Energy and Environment.

Economist, Pat Utomi has lashed out at Ibikunle Amosun over the allegation that he was blacklisted by the Ogun State House of Assembly before he took over office as the governor of the state.

Utomi while featuring as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, denied having any business transactions with the Ogun State government that could have warranted him to be blacklisted.

He said, “Why would I have been blacklisted? I have never had any business with Ogun that would have led them to whitelist not to talk of blacklisting me.

“As a matter of policy, I don’t do business at all with state governments. The only time it would become necessary is when it comes to land matters because the government is the sole authority over land matters in Nigeria.

“Why would the House of Assembly blacklist me? For what? I have never had any business transactions with Ogun State until that time. That is what frightens me why public officials can make such preposterous accusations against me I heard that statement for the first time in my life. If I was blacklisted, for what?”

While responding to Utomi over his statement that he had violated the contract agreement regarding the cancelled deal with Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, Amosun had described the professor as “entitled”.

Amosun was responding to Utomi’s allegation on a cancelled agriculture-related project in Ogun before he assumed office.

However, responding on Monday, Utomi said he never transacted any business with the Ogun State government.

Utomi then spoke on the seizure of the presidential jets, saying Nigeria should not have acquired such a jet fleet, as it was “Unnecessary”.

“To be quite frank, when I first heard of the seizure, I had no clue of what led to it.

“I just felt “we have done it again”. I was not happy and I thought of the idea of a presidential fleet, and why Nigeria maintains such a huge fleet, which I consider unnecessary.

“Many countries much better off than Nigeria do not have presidential fleets. The British who we learnt the art of statecraft from in the modern era, typically don’t have a prime ministerial jet. The prime minister leases jets to go for assignments.

“So that was my first reaction to why we would bring ourselves to this state of embarrassment.

I have been warning about this for a long time. There are many sub-nationals in which the governors act so much irresponsibly in the way they get in and out of contracts with foreign organisations bringing great embarrassment to Nigeria.

“A lot of businesses will not come to Nigeria because they think Nigeria’s institutions are not reliable. They think because Nigeria can’t give them justice, and boundaries are not clear.

“Many state governments- a governor leaves, a new one comes, and they riff off everything the governor before him has done without thoughts for the consequences for his state and the country in terms of how seriously the world takes them.

“So when I realised that was what is prevalent, I decided to highlight my personal experience that happened as exactly as the one that led to the seizure of the presidential jets.

“This has happened to a lot of businessmen but because they don’t have the resources to approach the international court for arbitration, they just lick their wounds and let it go.

“It is not just Ogun State. I pointed out that I have a book that was published a few months ago. I published several case studies in the book. One of the cases was exactly what was done in another state in Nigeria that led to a foreign company in South Africa, leaving the country which led to so much loss because the governor decided to play games after he left office.

After I made the remarks, I was told that the former Ogun State governor came out with thoughts against me.

“And I then thought that this is another big problem with Nigeria, where people who have held public office do not have the discipline to speak basic simple truths in conversations.

“The only time I have ever been in business with Ogun State was when we were trying to develop an agricultural value chain project.

Organizers of the just concluded EndBadGovernance protests that recently crippled economic activities nationwide are currently planning to stage more demonstrations across the nation in October.

A former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore confirmed the plan to DAILY POST on Saturday.

DAILY POST recalls that Nigerian youths had staged nationwide protests from August 1 to 10 over the prevailing economic situation in the country.

The supposed 10 days peaceful demonstration was, however, hijacked by non-state actors, leading to the unfortunate death of some protesters.

According to reports, 17 persons were reportedly killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna and Jigawa, while several others were seriously injured after the Nigerian security forces clamped down on the protesters.

No fewer than 1,135 persons were arrested across the country following the violence that erupted during the protest.

In Kano State, hoodlums disguised as protesters reportedly vandalized government assets, including essential documents and looted properties belonging to individuals.

Some of them were also caught flying Russian flags while clamoring for military rule in Nigeria.

In Kano alone, about 873 suspects were arrested by the police and other security agencies.

No fewer than 76 of them, including a foreigner, arrested for flying the Russian flags, were on Monday last week, transferred to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for discreet investigation on charges of sedition.

When contacted by DAILY POST on Saturday, an activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju said they were currently working towards securing the release of some of the protesters.

Asked to disclose the fate of the detained protesters, the popular activist simply said, “we are currently on their matter”.

However, Sowore confirmed to DAILY POST that some of the protesters have been released, while efforts were ongoing to secure the freedom of others.

He said, “We are working to get all detained persons released and have, in fact, succeeded in getting some released.

“To this, we owe some gratitude to several human rights attorneys who have dedicated their time and resources to ensure these latest victims of rights abuses are released from unjust detention.

“The federal govt would soon face an ultimatum to release all arrested protesters if they continue to be reckless and intransigent.”

Planned October protest

The protest scheduled for October may not be unconnected to what they described as President Bola Tinubu’s alleged failure to address the demands of the protesters.

DAILY POST reports that the EndBadGovernance protesters, who were majorly asking the FG to reverse some policies that led to the high cost of living, including the controversial fuel subsidy, made at least 15 demands.

Among other things, the protesters asked the government to “Toss the Senate arm, keep the House of Representatives and make lawmaking a part-time endeavour.

“Pay Nigerian workers a minimum wage of nothing less than N250,000 monthly.

“Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally and demilitarize the South East. All ENDSARS and political detainees must also be released and compensated.

“End banditry, terrorism and violent crimes. Reform security agencies to stop continuous human rights violations.

“Massive shake-ups in the Nigerian judiciary to remove cabals of corrupt generations of judges and judicial officers that continue denying citizens access to real justice.

“Diaspora voting”.

But according to the organizers, President Tinubu, who addressed the nation on the 6th day of the protest, failed to address the demands.

This has compelled the Nigerian youths to stage more protests.

Sowore told DAILY POST that unlike the August protest, the planned October demonstration tagged #FearlessInOctober would be prolonged.

On the rumoured ongoing dialogue with the FG, Sowore said, “I am not part of any negotiations. We are all working on our next set of prolonged protests tagged #fearlessinOctober”.

The Federal Government has threatened to sanction higher institutions that fail to submit lists of students admitted immediately after matriculation.

This was revealed in a memo ‘CLARIFICATION ON DISCLOSURE OF ADMITTED CANDIDATES OUTSIDE CAPS( 2017-DATE)’ by the Jamb Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) obtained by Channels Television.

The initiative, according to JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, is one of the recommendations made by a committee set up by the Federal Government to combat fake degree racketeering in the country.

According to the memo, institutions are to “regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies.”

The list is expected to be submitted through the dedicated channel of JAMB.

“The Board has observed a large number of candidates thronging its offices to resolve issues related to the disclosure of candidates admitted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) from 2017 to date. While we appreciate the enthusiasm, we must correct the misconception that the focus is on candidates’ actions. The true emphasis lies with the institutions, which must disclose all candidates admitted outside CAPS before the August 31st, 2024 deadline.

“This directive requires immediate attention and compliance. We urge institutions to carefully review our initial letter and ensure full compliance, as failure to disclose will result in severe consequences. Candidates are also reminded not to accept admissions outside CAPS.

“The Board reiterate that candidates not disclosed by institutions would not be entertained. The Board will not tolerate any condonement of undisclosed admissions moving forward.”

The development comes after the Federal Government set up an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling, to probe the activities of certificate racketeers following an investigative report published by Daily Nigerian which exposed the activities of fake degree mills in the Benin Republic.

In a similar development, a memo addressed to the JAMB on July 15, 2024, the education ministry said, “You may recall that following the publication of allegations of certificate racketeering involving some foreign institutions, especially in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and other countries, the ministry constituted an inter-ministerial committee to investigate the allegations to find lasting solutions.

“The committee has submitted its report and the Honourable Minister of Education has approved its recommendations for implementation.

“In that regard, I hereby convey the request of the honourable minister for the implementation of the following recommendations of the committee:

“Enforce the mandatory requirement for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to exclusively conduct their admissions processes through the Central Admissions Processing System under the auspices of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board; mandate all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies through the dedicated channel of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

“You are kindly requested to implement the above recommendations and furnish the ministry with implementation updates.”

Channels had on Thursday, reported how the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), said a total of 54 corps members who were illegally mobilised by the University of Calabar, had been demobilised.

This is in addition to the earlier 101 certificates that were recently voided by the scheme, making a total of 178.

An investigation by a Daily Nigerian reporter Umar Audu revealed how he obtained a degree within six weeks, after which returned to Nigeria and embarked on the mandatory one-year NYSC service.

The investigation led to FG placing a ban on the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from Benin Republic and Togo.

The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman then vowed to flush out holders of fake degrees from the Nigerian educational system.

The Economic Community of West African States Parliament is stepping up diplomatic efforts to prevent Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from leaving the regional bloc.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, confirmed that parliamentary diplomacy mechanisms are being deployed to engage the three nations, emphasising the importance of unity within ECOWAS.

He spoke in an interview on Saturday, August 17, 2024, with newsmen in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on the sidelines of a meeting of the parliament’s Joint Committee on Administration, Finance, Budget, Public Accounts, Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research, of which he is Chairman.

Kalu assured that letters had been sent to the governments of the concerned nations, and visits by parliamentary representatives would soon follow.

He expressed confidence that dialogue would lead to their reintegration into the regional body.

“There are already mechanisms in place, through what is called parliamentary diplomacy, to reach out to them.

“Letters have been sent to them, and very soon, some of us will start visiting those countries to engage the heads of government.

“We will tell them, for instance, that, granted, maybe they were offended by one or two things, but let us sit down again and discuss,” the deputy speaker stressed.

Kalu also noted that even in a worst-case scenario where the three countries proceed with their exit, ECOWAS’s financial stability would not be at risk.

He highlighted the organisation’s multiple revenue streams, including the Community Levy and contributions from development agencies.

“There are many other sources. So, we want to make sure that we streamline it and know where monies are coming from.

“If these are not enough, we will increase because there are so many development agencies, there are so many people who are interested in the sub-region.

“There are multiple ways of raising funds for the parliament, as well as the community,” he said.

In addition to addressing the potential exits, the ECOWAS Parliament is pushing for reforms to strengthen legislative independence.

Kalu, who also chairs the country’s House of Representatives Constitutional Review Committee, said that the laws governing ECOWAS need updating to reflect the changing political landscape.

The proposed amendments would bolster the separation of powers and enhance the credibility of the institution on the international stage.

“Rightly put, we need to amend the Supplementary Act.

“The protocols that brought the ECOWAS Commission and ECOWAS Parliament into existence need to be overhauled.

“This is because these laws are not cast in stones; Indeed, no law is cast in stone”, the two-term lawmaker (APC-Abia, Bende Constituency) added.

Since January 28, 2024, when the military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS, the regional body has attempted to negotiate their return through sanctions relief and invitations to technical meetings.

However, these attempts have been met with silence.

Victor Osimhen is set to snub Chelsea and wait for long-time Paris Saint-Germain, who are now ready to make a final decision on his transfer, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Blues have been seeking the signature of the Nigeria international all summer but were initially rebuffed by Napoli, with the 2022/23 Serie A champions insisting that his £113m release clause must be paid in full.

The 25-year-old is said to be ranking prominently on their wish list to lead their line during the 2024/25 season.

The Lagos-born is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe, having been linked with moves to Chelsea, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Liverpool, among others, following impressive seasons with Napoli.

Despite the departure of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid, PSG remained silent on their pursuit of Osimhen, being also reluctant to meet the hefty £113m asking price for the striker and were happy with the duo Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani.

Osimhen was believed to be keen to test himself in the Premier League after making a name for himself in Serie A with Napoli and in Ligue 1 with Lille, whose rivals Paris Saint-Germain were formerly thought to be Chelsea’s main contenders.

However, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg—via The Sun—Osimhen instead has his heart set on joining the French champions, who could now reignite their interest due to a serious injury to one of their strikers.

PSG are expected to rekindle their search for a new striker before the transfer window closes after Goncalo Ramos sustained a severe ankle sprain 20 minutes into Les Parisiens’ opening Ligue 1 game against Le Havre on Friday.

The Portuguese will be out for around three months following surgery, and Osimhen is prepared to wait until the ‘eleventh hour’ to seal his dream move to Paris.

With the latest development, Chelsea’s proposed triple swap deal for the Nigerian has supposedly been plunged into fresh doubt.

Osimhen has amassed 76 goals and 18 assists in 133 matches for Napoli in all competitions since 2022, but he has been frozen out of the squad after it was reported that he requested to leave this summer.

Antonio Conte’s side began their 2024-25 Serie A campaign with a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Bentegodi on Sunday against Hellas Verona.

Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has disassociated himself from campaign posters on social media, claiming he would be contesting for the presidency in 2027.

In a statement on Sunday by Edwin Olofu, chief press secretary (CPS), to the APC national chairman, Ganduje said the campaign posters are “malicious pieces of fake news”.

The campaign poster featured Ganduje as a presidential candidate in 2027, with Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, as his running mate.

The poster also showed the two politicians will contest the presidency on the platform of the APC.

Ganduje said “mischief makers” linked with the Kwakwassiyya movement were behind the posters.

He added that the perpetrators are working to cause discord between him and President Bola Tinubu.

“This is to inform the general public that the poster currently circulating on social media, claiming that the APC national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is contesting for the presidency in 2027 with Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, as his running mate, is entirely false and a malicious piece of fake news,” the statement reads.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) wishes to categorically state that this is the work of mischief-makers, likely in collaboration with certain elements within the Kwankwassiyya movement, who are determined to create disaffection between Dr. Ganduje and His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje remains unwaveringly loyal to President Tinubu and is fully committed to supporting the president’s vision and leadership.

“Dr. Ganduje believes that President Tinubu is on the right trajectory to steer Nigeria towards greater prosperity and unity.

“We urge the public to disregard this fabricated story and refrain from spreading unverified information.”

Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, says he receives threat calls from unknown persons who are against the progress in the power sector.

Adelabu spoke on Saturday in Oyo state during Fresh FM’s ‘Political Circuit’ programme.

He said all problems in the power sector are surmountable.

“There will be resistance, people stand in your way, saboteurs and others. Let me say this for the first time. I receive threat calls,” he said.

“I am the 49th power minister in the country. The past ministers were probably bullied and intimated in their work. It does not take ordinary people to blow up a power transmission substation with dynamites, and pull down a power line.

“It is an organised crime. It is a cabal and cartel. We are all Nigerians but we are all Nigerians, we will not run away from ourselves.”

Speaking further on the significant development attained in his one year in office, he said Nigeria had struggled with electricity generation of 4,000 megawatts (MW). 

He added that in less than a year in office, his development plans have added more than 1,000MW of electricity to the capacity of the national grid.

“We have raised the electricity generated capacity from 4,000MW to 5,155MW recorded on the 8th of August, 2024. In the past, it took the country over 25 years to achieve 2,000MW of power and it took between 1984 and today to achieve additional 2,000MW,” he said.

“When we resumed as minister, the electricity generated was 4,000MW and within a year, we have added over 1,000MW. Our target is to hit 6,000MW with the support of the Federal Government before the end of this year.”

‘IMPLEMENTATION OF WORKABLE PROCESSES’

Adelabu said a comprehensive diagnosis of the entire ministry “with many organised retreats to find workable and practical solutions to the quagmire in the ministry”.

“First we needed an underlining legislation that will decentralise control and make states as players in the value chain,” Adelabu said.

“It took the effort of President (Bola) Tinubu who signed the Electricity Bill into law which allowed states and private sectors to join and invest in the sector.

“We implemented the supportive policies to act as guiding principles. Then we moved to the market where we looked at the cost reflective tariff as well as infrastructural development, enhancement and upgrade. Extension to remote areas with the adoption of renewal energy and power asset security against saboteurs.” 

The minister added that energy consumers must be ready to pay their bills for continuity and sustainability of the many achievements in the power sector.

Adelabu emphasised that, in contrast to the overall cost of running generators, Nigerians can afford to pay their energy bills regardless of cost.