Former Anambra State Governor and presidential hopeful Peter Obi said on Sunday, 26 July 2026, that achieving uninterrupted 24-hour electricity supply for all Nigerians within four years would be unrealistic, while outlining plans to expand power generation, transmission and distribution capacity if elected president.
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Obi said Nigeria’s electricity challenges require sustained infrastructure development rather than short-term promises.
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The Peter Obi Electricity Plan focuses on increasing Nigeria’s power capacity to at least 10,000 megawatts within a four-year administration through embedded power projects and improved sector financing.
“24-hour electricity within 4 years is impossible. If you want to build a power plant, it takes about 4 years. Improving transmission lines also takes years,” Obi said.
The former governor, who has repeatedly said he intends to serve only one four-year term if elected president, argued that his administration would prioritise building a foundation for long-term economic growth rather than making commitments he considers difficult to achieve.
Obi said his proposed approach would involve expanding decentralised electricity systems by replicating successful private-sector models across the country.
“We will do it through embedded power. Look at what Geometric Power is doing in Aba. We need to replicate that in locations like Kano to drive the industries in Bompai and Sharada,” he said.
He also identified outstanding financial obligations within the electricity sector as a major obstacle to attracting investment.
Obi said settling debts owed to electricity generation companies would be necessary to restore confidence among operators and investors.
“Today, the government owes generating companies trillions of Naira. We must pay them,” he said, adding that political leaders must be accountable for the promises they make to Nigerians.
Nigeria’s electricity sector has continued to face major challenges, including insufficient generation capacity, weak transmission networks, funding constraints and recurring grid failures.
Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s January 2026 Operational Performance Factsheet showed that although Nigeria had an installed generation capacity of 13,625 megawatts, average available capacity was significantly lower at 4,901 megawatts during the period.
The country’s power sector also faces substantial financial pressure, with electricity generation companies reportedly owed about N6.8 trillion by the Federal Government.
Industry operators have warned that unresolved debts could affect the sustainability of the electricity value chain.
Power reliability remains a key concern, with national grid disruptions continuing to affect homes, businesses and industries.
Despite being Africa’s largest economy, millions of Nigerians still lack access to electricity, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing policymakers.
Recent reforms have opened new opportunities for state-level participation in electricity regulation following changes introduced under the Electricity Act.
Several states are now developing regulatory frameworks aimed at attracting private investment into power generation and distribution.
International and private sector initiatives have also expanded efforts to improve electricity access.
Development programmes such as Mission 300 and investments in solar mini-grid projects are targeting communities with limited access to reliable power.
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Obi’s comments add to the ongoing national debate over how quickly Nigeria can resolve its electricity crisis, balancing public expectations with the realities of infrastructure development, investment requirements and sector reform.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
