Victor Ezeja
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has disclosed that they would study and possibly adopt Egypt’s model of Power generation and transmission for stable electricity supply in the country.
Adelabu stated this during a meeting in Abuja with Mohammed Fouad, Egyptian ambassador to Nigeria recently.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThis was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday, signed by Bolaji Tunji, special adviser on communications and media relations to the minister.
The statement said the discussion centred on enhancing bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and Egypt in energy expansion, specifically in rural electrification and renewable energy.
Adelabu, who applauded Egypt’s achievements in the energy sector, described the North African country as a role model in energy infrastructure development.
The minister stated that Nigeria is eager to learn from Egypt’s experience in energy generation, transmission, and distribution and that Nigeria’s partnership with Siemens to strengthen the stability of its power sector was influenced by Egypt’s achievements in this area.
The statement quoted the minister saying: “Egypt has made remarkable strides in energy transformation, and we are eager to collaborate and learn from your expertise. Our goal is to ensure reliable, stable, and affordable energy access for all Nigerians.”
The minister highlighted some of the investments made so far by the Federal Government in the power sector with the goal of increasing access to electricity by the residents, noting that there been challenges in expanding the national grid.
His words: “We have secured significant investments, including $750m from the World Bank’s DARES project and an additional $190m from the Japan International Cooperation Agency to support this initiative.”
The minister further emphasised the government’s commitment to utilising Nigeria’s abundant renewable energy resources, such as its hydropower, wind, and solar potential, in order to provide sustainable power access.
On his part, the Egyptian ambassador expressed the commitment of the country to collaborating with Nigeria in achieving sustainable energy solutions for both countries.
Fouad applauded Adelabu’s dedication to expanding power access throughout Nigeria, particularly through renewable energy projects, adding that Egypt is working towards raising its share of renewable energy from the current 14 percent to 42 percent and that his nation would greatly benefit from Nigeria’s experience.
While acknowledging that Nigeria and Egypt had reached a Memoranda of Understanding about power projects, the ambassador hinted that it would be activated for possible exchange.
“We should activate the MOU and maybe we can start by holding virtual meetings, talking to each other to see if there are areas where we can learn from each other, because power is an ambitious plan especially, when it comes to renewable energy,” the ambassador said.
READ ALSO: Can Investment In Renewable Energy Resolve Nigeria’s Power Crisis?
Nigerians Tackle Obi’s Traducers Over Understudying Egypt’s Power Model
Meanwhile, this development has led many Nigerians on social media to tackle human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and some others who criticised the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, over his trip to Egypt to understudy the country’s power sector, education and financial sector.
Sowore had in a post on his X handle, taken a swipe at Obi, saying the Labour Party candidate’s decision to travel to Egypt nine months to the election shows he was unprepared.
X users called out Sowore for attacking Peter Obi, saying it is the same thing the former Anambra State governor did two years ago that President Tinubu’s administration is trying to embark on now.
An X user, Aku said: “Someone should wake up Sowore and those APC nonentities.”
“When Peter Obi visited Egypt to learn about its power generation sector, they were laughing. Now they’re doing exactly the same thing 2 YEARS after. Well, better late than never. I just hope this isn’t another white elephant project,” another X user, Mmeko wrote.
“So, it took you 2 years to realise what Peter Obi has been saying about Egypt?” J Omojola wrote.
“Did these same people not criticise Peter Obi for visiting Egypt for this same assignment during the election campaign?” Ayinla Oluwamayowa asked.
Another X user, Adetunji Adewolu, queried the rationale the exercise: “How come a nation with abundant energy resources is still learning the fundamentals? Even after decades of reforms and billions of dollars, stable electricity is still elusive. Is this a genuine solution or merely a publicity stunt?
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
