Reflections by Chris Kwaja
In May 2025, Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu, formally ratified and adopted a roadmap for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) by approving the National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP). The content of the policy represents an ambitious and deliberate attempt to prioritize accessible and affordable electricity in the country. This is quite commendable.
One of the low-hanging fruits in achieving this vision would be to “cut the head of the snake” by revisiting the role of private and vested interests in the electricity value chain. Outside the oil sector, the power sector has continued to serve the interest of a few, as a cash cow. The poor suffer the most.
As it stands, parts of Jos, Bauchi, are Gombe are in total darkness under the guise of maintenance by the Jos Electricity Distribution Company. What would be the economic cost of such a decision on businesses and families? Unfortunately, the country’s consumer protection agency or public has been dormant.
As the state and local governments get more resources, they should develop a policy on renewable energy in order to power our rural communities. It’s doable. All it requires is a cut in the cost of governance.
On Wike and his threat to revoke embassy lands in Abuja
Mr. Minister of the FCT, Sir (Nyesome Wike), be informed that the media trial of embassies in Nigeria, as per threat of revoking their land titles over ground rent, is utter disrespect for international conventions and an act of illegality under international law.
Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which concerns the inviolability of the premises of a diplomatic mission, states that the premises of embassies cannot be entered by representatives of the host country without the consent of the head of the mission.
The host country is also obligated to protect the premises from intrusion or damage, and it cannot search, seize, or attach the premises, furnishings, property, or means of transport.
In simple terms, an embassy, no matter how big or small a country is, is an extension of its mother country in terms of sovereignty.
