Participants at the event I a group photograph
Energy is the Backbone of Nigeria’s Economic Prosperity – DG NILDS
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
The National Assembly, in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has reiterated its commitment to tackling the challenges of rising energy costs through legislative reforms and stakeholder engagement.
Speaking at a one-day policy seminar titled “Rising Energy Costs: Issues, Implications, and Way Forward” held at NILDS’ permanent site in Piwoyi, Abuja, the Director General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, emphasized the urgency of sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s energy crisis.
In a statement signed by Mohammad Abdulkadri, Media Adviser to the DG NILDS stated that: “Professor Sulaiman, a former Minister of National Planning, stressed that energy remains pivotal to the nation’s economic prosperity. He urged experts from various sectors to devise actionable strategies to address the challenges facing ongoing reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s energy deficit, Professor Sulaiman noted that electricity production remains disproportionately low compared to nations like South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria, despite the country’s population and potential. He assured stakeholders of the 10th National Assembly’s readiness to provide legislative backing for frameworks aimed at reducing costs and improving energy accessibility.
The seminar featured contributions from industry leaders, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), and Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). Participants explored solutions to issues such as high electricity tariffs, estimated billing, and the cost of diesel and gas, which have strained Nigerians’ economic resilience.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Mohammed Kabir Salihu of Ahmadu Bello University recommended a balance between affordability and availability of energy services, alongside proper legislation to reduce tariffs and eliminate estimated billing practices.
The representative of the Minister of Power, Engineer Baba Mustapha, commended NILDS for the timely intervention, stating that the government remains committed to delivering cost-effective power solutions. Similarly, Professor Sam Amadi, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), lauded NILDS for its exemplary role in advancing national development through policy-oriented initiatives.
In his closing remarks, Professor Oyinlola Olaniyi, Acting Director of NILDS’ Department of Economics and Social Research, reaffirmed the institute’s dedication to addressing national challenges through research-driven approaches.
The seminar concluded with a call for a multi-sectoral approach to implement robust reforms that would transform Nigeria’s energy landscape, ensuring sustainable growth and development.