Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has emphasized the critical need for Nigeria to address its power sector challenges as a prerequisite for achieving substantial national economic development. He made these remarks during the inauguration of the National Economic Council (NEC) Ad Hoc Committee on National Electrification and the NEC Ad Hoc Committee on Polio Eradication at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
During the event, Shettima urged political leaders to put aside their differences and unite in confronting the ongoing power crisis, asserting that this is essential for Nigeria’s transformation into an industrialized nation.
While inaugurating the electrification committee, the Vice President cited nations like Indonesia, India, South Africa, and Uganda, which have successfully navigated energy shortages and are now leading in the post-industrial revolution era. He remarked, “A common thread among these countries is their resolution of energy insufficiency issues.”
Shettima pointed out that Nigeria cannot aspire to meaningful economic advancement without addressing its power sector challenges. He expressed concern that between 40 to 70 percent of Nigerians currently lack formal access to electricity but noted his optimism regarding the expertise of the state Governors and committee members, believing they can enact positive change.
He acknowledged the significant issues plaguing Nigeria’s power sector, particularly the national grid’s frequent system collapses, but expressed hope for improvement due to recent reforms that invite participation from previously excluded entities and attract both domestic and foreign investments.
“We are blessed with a wealth of resources—gas, hydro, and solar—that can be harnessed to create a resilient energy sector, ensuring energy security for all Nigerians,” he stated.
Shettima encouraged the members of the National Electrification ad hoc committee to engage fully in their mission, assuring them of his support throughout their efforts.
In addition, while inaugurating the NEC ad hoc committee on Polio Eradication, the Vice President called for renewed commitment among members and stakeholders to combat the resurgence of the disease. He stressed the importance of moving beyond reliance on external partners and taking decisive steps to eradicate polio from Nigeria.
“It’s vital that we stop merely reacting to the disease’s return. We need to develop a comprehensive, long-term strategy, including the local production of polio vaccines,” he asserted.
Shettima warned against short-term fixes, emphasizing that a proactive approach is necessary to effectively manage the virus, which continues to mutate and reappear in new forms, as seen with recent variants in Kano and Sokoto. However, he commended the swift actions taken by those states to address these new challenges.
