Nigeria’s FEC Approves Presidential Task Force on Power Sector Reform
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the immediate constitution of a high-level Presidential Task Force on Power Sector Reform, aimed at accelerating a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s troubled electricity industry.
The decision, taken during the FEC meeting on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the State House in Abuja, underscores the Tinubu administration’s renewed determination to tackle persistent challenges of inadequate generation, weak transmission, inefficient distribution, and chronic liquidity issues that continue to hamper economic growth.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will personally chair the task force, with Mr. Rilwan Lanre Babalola — a former Minister of Power recently appointed as Special Adviser to the President on Power — serving as a key member who will stand in for the President when necessary. Information Minister Mohammed Idris described the move as one of the “far-reaching decisions” taken by the Council to drive strategic reforms, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen coordination across the entire power value chain.
This latest initiative builds on ongoing efforts, including the approval of a ₦3.3 trillion payment plan earlier in 2026 to settle legacy debts owed to generation companies and gas suppliers, of which substantial portions have already been disbursed. It also aligns with the broader implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which is gradually decentralising regulatory oversight and empowering states to develop their own electricity markets.
Nigeria’s power sector has long struggled with low available capacity — often hovering around 4,000–5,000 MW despite higher installed figures — frequent grid collapses, gas supply constraints, high aggregate technical, commercial and collection (ATC&C) losses, and inadequate investment. The task force is expected to fast-track solutions in generation expansion, transmission infrastructure upgrade, distribution performance, metering rollout, tariff reforms, and better federal-state collaboration.
Stakeholders view the President’s direct leadership as a strong signal of political will, designed to cut through bureaucratic delays and deliver measurable improvements in electricity supply to homes, businesses, and industries. The task force’s work comes at a critical time as the country pursues economic diversification and industrial revival, where reliable power remains a foundational requirement.
Further details on the task force’s specific terms of reference, membership, and timelines are expected to be released in the coming days. The development was announced alongside approvals for major rail and road infrastructure projects worth billions of dollars, reflecting the administration’s wider push for transformative infrastructure.
