Review of the Nigerian Power Sector

Abstract

A constant power supply is a key indicator of a developed economy. Any nation with unreliable energy supply hampers its development and risks losing potential investors. Nigeria, a country with over 160 million people, has experienced frequent and persistent power outages over the past 33 years since the establishment of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), the agency responsible for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. Currently, the federal government is implementing power sector reforms aimed at improving this unfavorable situation and reducing the monopoly control over the country's power industry. This paper examines the overall power sector and its reforms, evaluates the opportunities and challenges, and advocates for the introduction and effective management of National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as positive steps forward.