Nigeria requires skill-based hiring and steady policymaking to resolve electricity issues, says former TCN chief

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Former Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Alhaji Abubakar Atiku-Tambuwal, says Nigeria needs merit-based appointments, policy consistency to fix its power sector.

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Tambuwal made the disclosure in an interview in Abuja.

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He advocated for the appointment of competent professionals based on merit rather than political considerations, saying effective leadership was critical to achieving a stable power supply.

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Tambuwal said private sector participation and state government involvement would play important roles in expanding electricity access, especially following recent reforms allowing states to regulate their electricity markets.

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He said the sector had suffered from a lack of coherent leadership, from the appointment of ministers to heads of agencies, which had affected the development and implementation of policies needed to improve electricity supply.

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Atiku-Tambuwal said the nation’s power sector requires a complete transformation driven by experienced leadership, strategic planning, and effective regulation.

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The former TCN boss identified poor leadership, corruption, and weak implementation of reforms as major factors responsible for Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges.

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According to him, corruption has also negatively affected the execution of critical power projects designed to expand infrastructure and enhance reliability.

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“The power sector reforms did not help matters either, as the privatisation process was not entirely transparent, leading to a lack of synergy among stakeholders needed to achieve the desired outcome of the reforms,” he revealed.

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The former TCN boss also stressed the need for the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to improve its regulatory role to ensure operators meet their obligations.

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Atiku-Tambuwal emphasised that solving Nigeria’s electricity problems requires an integrated approach where generation, transmission, and distribution companies work together.

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He explained that increasing generation capacity without improving transmission and distribution infrastructure would not provide the needed solution.

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“You cannot treat generation, transmission, and distribution as isolated islands. When they operate in silos, the entire system breaks down,” the ex-MD said.

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He called for coordinated planning, improved infrastructure investment, the deployment of modern grid monitoring systems, and regulatory reforms that would strengthen collaboration across the electricity value chain.

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On transmission infrastructure, Atiku-Tambuwal described TCN as the backbone of Nigeria’s power sector, noting that the government’s decision to retain ownership of the company was due to its strategic importance.

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He said the restructuring of TCN into the Independent System Operator (NISO) and Transmission Service Provider (TSP) was a positive development, but urged the government to complete ongoing reforms to make the sector more efficient.

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He added that renewable energy could help address electricity challenges through both grid and off-grid solutions, particularly in underserved rural communities.

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The former TCN chief executive expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria’s electricity sector if the government develops and implements a clear roadmap, ensures prudent management of resources, and maintains policy consistency. (NAN)

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