Power Sector Problems: Name Minister for Energy, ex NBET MD tells President on INSIDE SOURCES

Nnamemeka Ewelukwa, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), has called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint a substantive Minister of Energy to address what he described as structural inefficiencies undermining Nigeria’s power sector. Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television on Friday, Ewelukwa argued that the current […]

Nnamemeka Ewelukwa, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), has called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint a substantive Minister of Energy to address what he described as structural inefficiencies undermining Nigeria’s power sector.

Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television on Friday, Ewelukwa argued that the current separation of responsibilities between the power and gas sectors continues to create coordination challenges that hinder effective policy execution.

“There are structural issues that must be addressed. The Minister for Power is not Minister for Energy. When you have a country where about 60–70% of the power is gas-based, and the Minister for Power is not in charge of gas, you already see that on a structural level, there is a problem,” he said.

“It means that if the Minister has a gas-related issue, he has to go to the other Minister [for gas],” he added, stressing that this disconnect slows decision-making and weakens sector-wide coordination.

Beyond structural reforms at the federal level, Ewelukwa also endorsed the ongoing decentralisation of electricity regulation, describing the emergence of state-level regulators as a major step toward unlocking efficiency and innovation in the sector.

According to him, the policy direction allowing states to establish independent regulatory frameworks reflects a proactive effort by the current administration to tackle longstanding inefficiencies in the electricity market.
“An increasing number of states have started that journey of setting up their different regulatory frameworks. I still firmly think it’s a step in the right direction. It’s a good early decision taken by the current administration,” he said.
Nigeria’s power sector has historically been governed by a centralised system led by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). However, recent reforms—driven by constitutional amendments and the Electricity Act—have empowered subnational governments to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity within their jurisdictions.
Ewelukwa maintained that a single central regulator has inherent limitations, particularly in addressing localised energy challenges across a diverse country like Nigeria.
“When you have one central regulator of electricity, there is a limit to how the regulator can have impact at the grassroots,” he explained.
He noted that decentralisation allows states to develop tailored solutions that reflect their unique energy needs, investment realities, and consumption patterns.
“And so, when you have multiple regulatory bodies, especially in a country like Nigeria where we are still not where we ought to be, it allows different states to chart different courses,” he added.
Ewelukwa further described the emerging framework as a system of “policy experimentation,” where states can test different approaches to electricity governance.
“Some states will get it right. Some may not. What you have is that there are multiple experiments at different parts of the country. And, for those that do get it right, it now provides for others to learn from,” he noted.
Industry observers say this model of competitive federalism could improve service delivery, attract private capital, and address long-standing issues such as liquidity constraints and infrastructure deficits.
However, concerns remain around potential regulatory fragmentation, tariff inconsistencies, and coordination gaps between federal and state authorities. Despite these risks, Ewelukwa’s position underscores growing support for a dual-track reform strategy—combining stronger central coordination through an energy ministry with decentralised execution at the state level.
As Nigeria pushes ahead with power sector reforms, the balance between structural alignment at the federal level and regulatory innovation across states is expected to play a defining role in shaping the future of electricity supply in the country.