The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Col. Sani Bello (rtd.), has disclosed that despite a decade of reforms and private sector participation, Nigeria’s power sector is still grappling with long-standing structural challenges.
Bello, who spoke in Abuja on Monday during the 10th anniversary celebration of the association, listed the key obstacles confronting the industry as persistent liquidity shortfalls, inadequate gas supply and infrastructure, market inefficiencies, ageing generation and transmission assets, and regulatory uncertainties.
“These challenges are well-known. Yet, the difference today is that we face them together, with one voice,’’ the APGC.”
Bello emphasised that the country’s electricity market remains constrained by financial imbalances and gas supply disruptions that limit the ability of power generation companies (GenCos) to operate at optimal capacity.
He noted that despite huge investments and sustained commitment by GenCos over the years, the industry continues to struggle under the weight of poor market liquidity and inconsistent policy direction.
“The success of the GenCos is Nigeria’s success. No nation can industrialise or prosper without reliable electricity. We must push for policies that are consistent, transparent, and investor-friendly, policies that enable innovation and sustain power generation investments,” Bello said.
Reflecting on the Association’s decade-long journey, the retired colonel commended the resilience of GenCos such as Mainstream Energy, North South Power, Geregu, Egbin, Transcorp, Azura, Geometric, and others, whose efforts have kept the national grid operational despite daunting operational and financial hurdles.
He credited the growth of APGC to the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Joy Ogaji, and acknowledged the collaboration of key sector players, including the Ministry of Power, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and gas suppliers.
Bello, however, called for strengthened partnerships among all stakeholders to address systemic bottlenecks and drive a more efficient and sustainable power sector.
“The journey to a fully reliable and sustainable power sector cannot be undertaken by GenCos alone. We must continue strengthening collaboration among all stakeholders to build a market that is efficient, fair, and transparent,” he said.
Bello urged the next generation of GenCo leaders to focus on innovation, efficiency, collaboration, and accountability, stressing that APGC must remain a “symbol of unity and a beacon of progress” for the Nigerian power generation industry.
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