Obasanjo: Until Private Sector Takes Over Power, Nigeria Will Remain In Darkness

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that Nigeria will remain in darkness until the private sector is allowed to take full charge of the country’s power sector.

Obasanjo said government alone cannot solve the electricity crisis, no matter how much money is voted, how many committees are set up, or how many promises are made during election campaigns.

He urged Nigeria to adopt the same approach that transformed the telecommunications industry, by transferring greater responsibility to private operators and allowing competition and innovation to drive growth.

He spoke on Tuesday at the Youth Governance Dialogue, themed “African Youth and Renaissance”, held at the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

According to Channels Television, Obasanjo argued that government had failed to resolve the electricity challenge despite its long involvement in the sector.

Government Tried With Telecoms Until Private Sector Took Over

“Government has tried, just like government tried with telecommunications, until we put it in the hands of the private sector, we didn’t solve it.

“And I believe that until we put energy in the hands of the private sector, we won’t solve it,” he said.

The former president described energy as a critical driver of economic growth and national development, lamenting Nigeria’s insufficient progress in addressing its power challenges.

He said no country can industrialise, create jobs or lift millions out of poverty without reliable electricity, yet Nigeria continues to struggle to keep the lights on.

Obasanjo recalled how Nigerians once queued for years to get a telephone line under government control, but the story changed completely when private investors entered the telecoms sector.

He said the mobile phone revolution proved that when government steps back and creates the right environment, the private sector can deliver what government could not deliver in decades.

Youth Must Lead Nigeria Out Of Darkness

He, however, expressed optimism that young Nigerians with innovative business and technological ideas could contribute to resolving the crisis, urging them to translate their ideas into practical solutions.

Obasanjo also challenged young people seeking to influence governance and public policy to acquire the knowledge and competence required to engage government institutions meaningfully.

He told the youths at the dialogue that complaining on social media would not fix power, but learning, building businesses and engaging policy with facts would.

The former president urged young innovators to explore opportunities in solar, gas, hydro, mini-grids and other energy solutions that can serve communities neglected by the national grid.

He said Africa’s renaissance would not come from speeches alone, but from young people who are ready to solve real problems like power, jobs and infrastructure.

Obasanjo’s warning comes at a time when millions of Nigerians still depend on generators, inverters and candles, while businesses spend huge sums to keep their operations running.