By Peace Olatunji

A public affairs commentator and librarian, Comrade Joel Afolayan has expressed his support for the federal government’s issuance for mini-grid electricity generation to private firms in Nigeria, citing his long-held advocacy for decentralization of Nigeria’s power sector.

He stated this on Tuesday, August 20 2024, while featuring a guest on Diamond Fm’s magazine programme, Diamond Breakfast Show. He noted that the sector had been partially privatized and fragmented into components, which is not in any way adding improvement to the sector.

Afolayan emphasized the need for the government to empower, encourage, and motivate federal universities to generate their own electricity, which he believes will foster national growth and development.

He said “Before now, we don’t have it totally privatised, we only have it unbundled and partly privatised”.

“If it appears so difficult and so complex for it to be run as we have it enshrined on the constitution of Nigeria that is power in exclusive list. Why can’t the government start with the university owned by the same government who have the mandate to conduct research that is expected to further launch the country into national prosperity or national development?”, he added.

In regards to the statement made by the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, that he has been recieving threats over his recent reforms, Afolayan expressed his disappointment over the delivery of Adebayo so far, adding that there’s a need for him to tackle the neglected areas of the power sector.

Speaking on the issue of cabals being behind the efficiency of the power sector, Afolayan emphasized that no cabal is too big for the government to handle.

“There is this insinuation that it is cabal everywhere, as far as I’m concerned, when we have the man at the helm of affairs in all the administration that had produced the 48 minister of power, if those men at the helm of affairs are truly responsible enough and committed to fixing any sector of the nation’s economy, I don’t think any cabal will be too big for them except they are the cabal they are talking about”, he said.

He further stressed on the allegations made by the minister of power saying “The allegation of Adelabu should be investigated.

Edited by Nedu Okorie

Full programme link: