Nigeria’s Power Reforms Receive Boost from Engineering Experts
In a move that could potentially transform the country’s troubled power sector, the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) has thrown its weight behind ongoing reforms, urging the federal government to adopt stronger engineering-driven solutions to address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficits. The academy’s president, Rahamon Bello, made the call on Tuesday, highlighting the need for technical expertise to tackle the nation’s structural challenges.
The NAE’s support for power sector reforms comes on the heels of its recent special forum, which reviewed Nigeria’s widening electricity supply gap and recommended urgent financial and structural reforms. The academy has endorsed the federal government’s Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, including the proposed issuance of specialised bonds to clear gas supply debts and improve liquidity in the sector. The programme aims to expand grid capacity to 25,000 megawatts, alongside increased investment in solar, hydro, and other renewable energy sources.
The academy’s intervention in the power sector is part of its broader efforts to provide data-driven, independent technical expertise to the nation. Over the past year, the NAE has deepened its role as a technical think tank, producing policy papers and engaging government on structural challenges across key sectors of the economy. Its recent work has included a technical review of the 2024 collapse of the Alau Dam in Borno State, which identified structural and engineering failures as key contributing factors.
The findings of the review have been submitted to both the Borno State Government and relevant federal agencies, alongside recommendations on reconstruction, early-warning systems, and long-term safeguards against climate-related infrastructure failures. The NAE’s president, Rahamon Bello, emphasized the importance of adopting engineering blueprints to safeguard public health, infrastructure, and the country’s economic future.
The academy has also raised concerns over Nigeria’s urban wastewater management system, citing findings from a May academy lecture which showed that less than 20 per cent of urban wastewater is properly treated. This poses growing risks to public health and environmental safety, warning that sanitation infrastructure can no longer be treated as a secondary development issue.
In June, the NAE hosted a climate change webinar featuring the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, alongside officials of the National Council on Climate Change and the Lagos State Government. Discussions at the forum reinforced the central role of engineers in delivering Nigeria’s climate commitments under its Nationally Determined Contributions.
The NAE’s support for power sector reforms and its calls for stronger engineering-driven solutions are timely, given the country’s infrastructure deficits in electricity supply, climate resilience, and urban sanitation. The academy’s efforts to provide technical expertise and engage government on these issues are crucial in addressing Nigeria’s structural challenges and ensuring a more sustainable future for the nation.
Infrastructure Gaps and the Need for Urgent Action
Nigeria’s infrastructure deficits are a major concern, with power outages, climate-related disasters, and poor sanitation systems affecting millions of people across the country. The NAE’s warnings on infrastructure gaps come as the federal government is implementing various reforms aimed at addressing these issues.
The Presidential Power Initiative, aimed at expanding grid capacity to 25,000 megawatts, is a key part of these reforms. However, the initiative has faced numerous challenges, including delays and under-investment. The NAE’s support for the initiative and its calls for increased investment in solar, hydro, and other renewable energy sources are crucial in addressing Nigeria’s power supply gap.
Moreover, the academy’s concerns over urban wastewater management and climate resilience are equally pressing. The country’s urban populations are growing rapidly, putting immense pressure on sanitation infrastructure and increasing the risk of climate-related disasters.
A New Era for the Nigerian Academy of Engineering
The NAE’s 2026 apex events will climax with the investiture of Umar Danbatta as the 14th President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. Mr Danbatta, former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, currently serves as Vice President of the academy and is expected to assume leadership at the end of the current president’s term.
This transition comes at a critical moment for the NAE, as the academy is poised to play a more significant role in addressing Nigeria’s structural challenges. Under President Danbatta’s leadership, the NAE is likely to continue its efforts to provide technical expertise and engage government on key sectors of the economy.
The NAE’s support for power sector reforms and its calls for stronger engineering-driven solutions are a welcome development, given the country’s infrastructure deficits. As Nigeria continues to grapple with these challenges, the NAE’s expertise and engagement will be crucial in ensuring a more sustainable future for the nation.
Looking Ahead
The NAE’s support for power sector reforms and its calls for stronger engineering-driven solutions are a timely reminder of the need for urgent action to address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficits. As the country continues to implement various reforms aimed at addressing these issues, the NAE’s expertise and engagement will be crucial in ensuring a more sustainable future for the nation.
The investiture of Umar Danbatta as the 14th President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering marks a new era for the academy, and Nigerians can expect the NAE to continue its efforts to provide technical expertise and engage government on key sectors of the economy. As the country moves forward, the NAE’s support for power sector reforms and its calls for stronger engineering-driven solutions will be a key factor in determining Nigeria’s future.