Obasanjo says power crisis cannot be solved without the private sector
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo believes the state alone cannot solve the electricity crisis and proposes handing energy to the private sector, as was done with telecoms. He was speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at a youth dialogue, according to Channels Television quoted by Punch.
Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo believes Nigeria will not solve its power crisis until the private sector takes on greater responsibility for energy. He was speaking on Tuesday, according to Punch, at the Youth Governance Dialogue, on the theme "African Youth and Renaissance", at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to Channels Television, he said the state had failed despite its involvement. He cited the example of telecommunications: "Government has tried, just like government tried with telecommunications, until we put it in the hands of the private sector, we didn’t solve it. And I believe that until we put energy in the hands of the private sector, we won’t solve it."
Obasanjo described energy as an essential driver of economic growth and lamented the country’s lack of progress. He said he was optimistic about the contribution of young Nigerians with innovative ideas, whom he urged to turn them into concrete solutions. He also called on young people who want to influence public policy to acquire the skills needed to engage with institutions.
These remarks come as President Bola Tinubu has promised reliable electricity before the 2027 presidential election. On 10 November, Obasanjo had asked Nigerians not to re-elect Tinubu in 2027.
