Lagos: The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr Ali Rabiu, emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges plaguing the power sector during a webinar organized by the NSE Board of Fellows. He highlighted that innovation, collaboration, and visionary leadership are crucial components of this approach. The webinar, themed ‘Rebooting Nigeria’s Power Sector for Sustainable Development: The Role of Nigerian Engineers,’ provided a platform for discussing the multifaceted issues within the energy sector.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Rabiu pointed to long-standing political interference as a significant factor contributing to the decline in the power sector. He explained that the politics of energy involves a complex web of policy formulation, regulation, investment, and international relations, intertwined with socioeconomic dynamics, environmental considerations, and geopolitical realities. Rabiu commended the board for its dedication to highlighting critical issues and stressed the importance of engineers in guiding the Federal Government to ensure reliable electricity supply, which is vital for national development.
Dr Meyen Etukudo, Special Adviser to the Akwa Ibom Governor on Energy, served as the guest speaker. He addressed the sector’s significant challenges, particularly the heavy reliance on thermal generation, which is both polluting and unsustainable. Etukudo advocated for a balanced power generation mix that includes clean and renewable energy sources, emphasizing the potential of solar energy given Nigeria’s abundant sunlight and tropical climate. He urged Nigerian engineers to drive innovation, take on more proactive roles in policy advisory, and reduce dependence on foreign expertise by leading project teams and developing local solutions.
Etukudo also raised concerns about the lack of seasoned power engineers in key governmental roles, questioning why no engineer had been appointed as the Minister of Power since independence. He called for engineers to engage in elective politics and policy decisions to enact meaningful change, ensuring energy efficiency and effective demand management. The webinar featured a keynote address by Kamila Maliki, Chairman of the NSE Board of Fellows, who discussed the revitalization of the power sector through the role of engineers.