Discos Lament Nigeria’s 5,500MW Power Output Despite Vast Gas Reserves

The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has criticised Nigeria’s persistently low electricity output of 5,500 megawatts, saying it’s unacceptable for a country with over 200 million people and some of the largest gas reserves in the world.

Sunday Oduntan, ANED’s Executive Director of Research and Advocacy, made the comments at a Senate Power Committee retreat in Akwa Ibom. He pointed out that South Africa, with a population of just over 64 million, generates about 52,000MW, a stark contrast to Nigeria’s output.

Despite having the sixth-largest oil output and gas reserves estimated to last a century, Nigeria’s power infrastructure remains severely underdeveloped. Oduntan highlighted that Nigeria’s largest hydropower project, the 3,050MW Mambilla Dam, awarded in 1982, remains incomplete.

In comparison, Ethiopia has nearly finished its 6,450MW Grand Renaissance Dam, started in 2010, and already 97.6% complete.

Oduntan said the power crisis has far-reaching consequences, holding back industrialisation, agriculture, and employment. Artisans, he warned, would remain stuck in low-income roles like motorcycle taxi driving without stable electricity.

He outlined key challenges in the sector: poor access to electricity for over 85 million Nigerians, generation shortfalls, ageing infrastructure, underinvestment, and weak regulatory coordination. Though installed capacity stands at 13,000MW, actual delivery is typically below 5,000MW due to issues in gas supply, maintenance, and transmission losses.

The power sector, he said, won’t improve unless Nigerian leaders stop making political statements and begin implementing bold, coordinated reforms.