The Senate has slammed the privatisation of Nigeria’s power sector, implemented 11 years ago, labeling it a “total failure” due to the persistent lack of reliable electricity nationwide. Lawmakers hinted at the possibility of repealing the policy during deliberations on Thursday.

The criticism arose during the review of a report by the Senate Standing Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South). The report examined recurring national grid collapses and other systemic challenges plaguing the sector.

Abaribe identified outdated infrastructure, abandoned projects worth trillions of naira, regulatory inefficiencies, a lack of modern monitoring systems like SCADA, and security lapses as key contributors to the grid’s failures. He revealed that Nigeria’s grid, which has collapsed 105 times in the past decade, is over 50 years old and urgently needs modernisation.

The report detailed the financial toll of these grid collapses, including the exorbitant costs of restarting power plants. For example, while routine operations for plants such as Azura, Delta, or Shiroro cost $105,000, restarting after a collapse spikes to $7 million per plant. Grid collapses have cost Nigeria approximately ₦42.5 billion for just three plants, with far-reaching consequences for the sector.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) condemned the privatisation policy, calling it exploitative. “The privatised power sector is more of a failure now. Discos are profit-driven, making Nigerians pay for services not rendered,” he stated.

Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) stressed the need for accountability, warning that inefficiencies would persist without consequences. “Reports alone without punitive measures will not solve the problems. The issues will continue without consequences,” he said.

After extensive debates, the Senate tasked the Abaribe-led committee with conducting a deeper investigation and presenting actionable recommendations within six weeks.