A nation aspiring for development must ensure a plentiful supply of electricity for its manufacturers, according to engineer Akinsola Cole.
He made this statement during an inaugural memorial lecture honoring Ven. Philip Bolade Oyebolu, the organization’s founding chairman, organized by the Lagos State Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). Oyebolu passed away on January 19, 2024, at the age of 94. The event took place at the Oyebolu Engineering Resources Centre at the University of Lagos.
Cole’s lecture, titled “Making Electricity Available, Accessible, and Affordable in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges,” emphasized the critical role of electricity in national development. He highlighted the necessity of providing electricity not only to the manufacturing sector but also to informal sectors and residential consumers.
He asserted that electricity is not a luxury but an essential service for any society, underscoring its importance to all facets of community life.
He noted that Nigeria has an installed capacity of 16,384 megawatts but is only able to utilize 4,200 megawatts for its population of 220 million, leaving a significant portion of capacity unused.
Cole called on the government to make substantial investments in the electricity sector, from generation to distribution, to enhance productivity among the populace.
“Currently, the distribution companies are billing consumers based on the 4,200 megawatts available, which is meant to cover the total power generated. It’s simple math: subtract 4,200 from 16,384. Electricity in Nigeria is exceedingly expensive,” he explained.
Additionally, Dr. Olufunmilayo Mafimidiwo, an engineer, focused her presentation on “Solar System Applications to Energy Availability and Affordability for All: Prospects and Challenges.”
Mafimidiwo emphasized that Nigeria is blessed with abundant sunlight, and research has shown that solar energy is a significant resource, surpassing the energy currently produced in the country.
She suggested that the government could make solar energy more accessible and affordable.
