The Chartered Institute of Power Engineers of Nigeria (CIPEN) has blamed persistent challenges in Nigeria’s power sector on entrenched political interests and the appointment of unqualified individuals to key leadership positions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja to mark the institute’s second anniversary, CIPEN President and Chairman-in-Council, Israel Abraham, said political interference and the sidelining of professionals have continued to cripple progress in the electricity supply industry.
“The most prominent challenge in the power sector is politics. It may not be visible to the eyes, but it is the greatest problem Nigerians have with power,” Abraham stated.
He noted that the federal government often prioritises political loyalty over competence when making appointments, thereby stifling innovation and technical progress.
“If you appoint people just to satisfy political interests, you can’t expect results. We need the right people in the right places. That is the only way to achieve results,” he said.
Abraham emphasized the need for political will and professional leadership, suggesting that the government should declare a state of emergency in the power sector to mobilize resources and set strict performance mandates.
“If the mandate isn’t met in two years, remove the appointee,” he added.
CIPEN, established in May 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, is tasked with regulating and enhancing standards for power engineers in Nigeria. Abraham said the institute is actively working with stakeholders to end energy poverty through professionalism and capacity-building.
As part of its initiatives, CIPEN has launched a tiered licensing regime and mandatory training programmes for engineers across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
“These programmes aim to assess and validate the competence of professionals, infuse ethics and ensure that only qualified individuals are licensed to practise,” Abraham explained.
“We want to boost the credibility of power engineers, improve service delivery, and rebuild public confidence in the sector.”
He also highlighted CIPEN’s statutory role in fostering synergy between the industry and academia, aimed at driving innovation, research, and the development of a skilled workforce.
“Sustainable growth in the power sector demands strong collaboration between the industry and our universities,” Abraham said. “We need to develop competent professionals for the long-term stability of the power industry.”
On his part, CIPEN’s Vice President of Power Business, Ahmad Kaitafi, said the absence of cost-reflective tariffs remains a major barrier to attracting investment in the sector.
“We need a cost-reflective tariff. It may be higher, but it is necessary to attract private investors and ensure a reliable supply,” Kaitafi noted.
He called for targeted subsidies to cushion the impact on low-income earners.
“There’s no country that doesn’t subsidise. What we’re calling for is a well-structured, targeted subsidy for the vulnerable, while allowing the sector to remain commercially viable,” he said.
CIPEN leaders called on the media and public to support their advocacy for professionalism, reforms, and effective policies that can deliver steady, affordable power to Nigerians.
“We remain committed to bridging the gap between technical capacity and policymaking to ensure Nigeria enjoys a reliable power supply,” Abraham concluded.
