NEC chairman and vice president Kashim Shettima informed Council members that as power is essential to economic progress, energy access is a basic right rather than a privilege.

A committee on national electrification has been established by the council to assist in addressing the issues facing the electricity industry.

At the conclusion of its 146th meeting, which was held Thursday in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja and presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, NEC made many decisions, including the creation of the committee.

The goal of the group, which is led by Bassey Otu, the governor of Cross River State, is to strengthen state participation in the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan and the Electricity Reform Act 2023.

After the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) gave a presentation, NEC noted that Nigeria requires a diversified and reformed electrical system. It also noted that by giving states more authority, it will be possible to make electricity more affordable and accessible, guaranteeing that every region can efficiently meet its unique energy requirements.

Governors Dikko Radda of Katsina, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau are among the committee members.

Additional individuals include Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance; Sen. Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power; Special Advisor to the President on NEC and Climate Change; Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA); and Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company.

Energy infrastructure, human capital development, creative industries, fiscal strategy, industrial innovation, and long-term development planning are among the concerns Shettima presented to the Council as urgently needing attention. She described these challenges as being essential to the transformation Nigeria requires.

“Experts and stakeholders from some of the critical sectors have been invited to share their insights and contributions for this reason,” he stated.

We must accelerate the adoption and implementation of the National Electrification Strategy in light of the recent power grid disasters in our country. Access to energy is not a privilege but a fundamental right. It is the lifeblood of economic expansion.

In addition to serving as international representations of Nigeria’s soft power, our music, movies, artwork, and cultural legacy are also essential catalysts for economic expansion. We cannot afford to downplay the potential to empower our youth, transform creativity into riches, and establish Nigeria as a center of innovation and cultural excellence,” he continued.

By the next NEC meeting, the states’ stance on state police will be prepared.

In order for NEC to reach a consensus on state police at its subsequent meeting, the Council, which was debating the revised submission on the establishment of state police, ordered states that had not yet submitted their views on the topic to do so within the next week.