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FG To Inaugurate Presidential Taskforce To Monitor Power Sector
President Bola Tinubu says the Federal Government will inaugurated a Presidential Taskforce to monitor and ensure progress of the deployment of key projects in the power sector.
Tinubu said this at the Nigerian Electricity Supply industry (NESI) Market Participants and Stakeholders Round Table (NMPSR), on Monday in Abuja.
The round table had as theme; “NESI Privatisation and its 10-Year Milestone :The Journey So Far, Opportunities and Prospects.
The president, who was represented by Mr Sodiq Wanka, his Special Adviser on Energy and Power Infrastructure, Office of the Vice President, said there was the need for a taskforce to reposition the sector.
“This includes projects that will help un-constrain the grid, and deliver the full available generation capacity to our homes and factories.
“ We have to create an environment where the worst performers do not continue to drag the sector down.
“All licensees must not only have the technical capacity to deliver on their license, but must also have the financial muscle to invest and grow their operations as preliminary analysis shows that DISCOS today are under-capitalised to the tune of N2 trillion.
“We must facilitate a re-organsation and a re-capitalisation process that brings in new partners and new capital to jumpstart performance in this critical sector of the value chain,” Tinubu said.
The president added that the Federal Government would accelerate the pace of deployment of renewables and solar energy in the right places.
He noted that there was a real opportunity to accelerate the deployment of inter-connected and isolated mini-grids to deliver power close to the point of use.
He said: “This will support the rollout of initiatives aimed at diesel displacement to reduce the carbon intensity of embedded power plants, while supporting innovative financing schemes for solar solutions in the home.”
The president said that the key objectives of the privatisation effort was to improve the efficiency of the power sector, unlock private sector investments, and unleash Nigeria’s potentials through an energised economy.
“10 years on, I believe it is fair to say that the objectives of the sector’s privatisation have by and large, not been met. Over 90 million Nigerians lack access to electricity.
“The national grid only serves about 15 per cent of the country’s demand. This has left households and factories to rely on expensive self-generation, which supplies a staggering 40 per cent of the country’s demand.
“What is worse, is that the total amount of electricity that can be wheeled through the national grid has remained relatively flat in the last 10 years. The grid capacity has increased from just over 3,000 Mega Watts MW to just over 4,000MW today.
“There is a lot of work to be done in building an electricity sector that we can all be proud of. And as we embark on this arduous task, we must go in with a number of principles to guide our decision-making,” he said.
The president said that the Federal Government fully realised that this plan could not be achieved without a new trajectory for the power sector.
He therefore, reiterated government’s commitment to providing the enabling environment that would unleash private sector capital in the power sector.
“And the private sector will find in the government a true partner, willing to listen and to unblock the challenges they face as we collectively electrify Nigeria,” Tinubu pledged.
On his part, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, said that it was pertinent for all stakeholders in NESI to come together in a roundtable to discuss the reasons behind the failure of the sector’s privitasation.
Adelabu said that the roundtable would enable stakeholders to brainstorm on what to be done to achieve the objective of the privitasation of the power sector.
“Most countries throughout the world do not privatise their electricity supply value chain from generation to distribution.
“Bad enough that we have done this, how can we work around the current status to achieve our priorities and objectives.
“ It is not a job for just one person or stakeholder. Everybody has a role to play, so we must all come together strong to achieve success in the power industry.
“Everybody must stand up to the challenge so that we can correct the issues in the sector and give stable and reliable electricity to Nigerians,” the minister said.
Adelabu said that 10 years down the line of privitasation, there was need to look at the technical capacities and investments made by the Distribution Companies (DisCos) and the Generation Companies (GenCos).
“These are the very serious conversation we need to have with the private sector operators,” he said.
Earlier, Prof Stephen Ogaji, Chairman NMPSR Planning Committee said “without doubt, the energy sector was the heartbeat of any thriving economy, and the NESI roundtable demonstrated stakeholders collective commitment to advancing this critical sector.
“We gather here today as representatives from various sectors – public and private, regulatory bodies, investors, technocrats, and visionaries – all driven by a shared purpose – to enhance and shape the trajectory of Nigeria’s energy future.
“As we embark on the deliberations over the coming days, let us remember that the challenges we face are formidable, but so also is our collective capacity to address them.
“Our discussions, collaborations, and insights will pave the way for innovative solutions that can usher in an era of reliable, efficient, and sustainable electricity supply,” Ogaji said.
He urged participants to engage in constructive dialogues, challenge conventional thinking, and identify strategies that would not only transform the power industry, but also the lives of citizens.
Eleven outstanding poetry collections are now in the race for the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature, arguably Africa’s biggest and most prestigious literary prize.
The 11 collections were selected from a total of 223 entries received for this year’s competition.
Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who announced the longlist, said the emergence of the 11 collections marks a significant milestone in this year’s competition and reflects the exceptional quality, creativity and diversity of contemporary Nigerian poetry.
According to her, the longlisted titles, arranged in alphabetical order, are: Adult Love by Tanure Ojaide; Bakandimiya by Saddiq Dzukogi; Black Passport by Paul Akpomuje; 2000 Blacks by Ajibola Tolase; Ceremony For The Nameless by Theresa Lola; Corpus: Animistic Verses by Ayo Oyeku; and Floral’s Love Colony by Tares Oburumu.
Other successful entries are, The Origin of Wounds by Malik Gbolahan; The Years of Blood by Adebayo Agarau; Unbind Me Now by James Ugwu Eze; and Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo.
Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo described the announcement as an important stage in the 2026 edition of the prize.
She noted that the collections demonstrate the remarkable capacity of poetry to illuminate human experience through thoughtful reflection, cultural memory and artistic expression.
According to her, the works revisit history while interrogating dominant historical narratives and exposing the forces that shape collective identities and social relations.
She stated that despite their varied emphases, the books share a commitment to exploring the endurance of individuals and communities in the face of violence, oppression and social fragmentation.
On style and language, Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo said the books display an impressive diversity of poetic techniques marked by lyrical intensity, symbolic depth and artistic innovation.
“Many employ densely poetic, allegorical, and elegiac modes that invite multiple layers of interpretation, while others draw extensively on folklore, oral traditions, and contemporary realities to create a compelling fusion of past and present. Their language is generally fluid, evocative, and aesthetically refined, relying on vivid imagery, emotional resonance, and intellectual sophistication to communicate complex ideas. These works demonstrate how poetic language can illuminate social realities; challenge established perspectives and give voice to both individual and collective experiences.
“The next stage will demand a closer reading of each work, with attention to language, form, originality and lasting literary value,” she stated.
The Board chairman commended the judges for their painstaking work and reaffirmed the Advisory Board’s commitment to a credible process, literary excellence and the promotion of a strong reading culture.
With the announcement of the 11-title longlist, the competition now moves to the next phase, with a shortlist of three expected in August and the winner to be announced in October.
Sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), The Nigeria Prize for Literature carries a cash award of $100,000 for the author of the winning book.
Now in its 22nd year, the prize rotates annually across four genres – prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature – with the 2026 edition devoted to poetry.
The Rivers State Government has applauded the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State Branch, for its steadfast dedication to advancing medical excellence and contributing significantly to healthcare development in the state and the country at large.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the NMA held in Port Harcourt last Wednesday, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, described the association as a vital partner in the quest to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Wokoma, according to a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit in his office, Julian Masi, noted that the NMA’s sustained advocacy for professional standards and quality medical practice has continued to impact positively on the healthcare sector and national development.
He said the conference theme, “Medical Practice in Nigeria: The Past, the Present and Quo Vadis,” offers a valuable platform for stakeholders to evaluate the progress made in the health sector, examine present realities, and develop practical solutions for future challenges.
He paid tribute to Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals for their sacrifices and unwavering commitment to service despite the challenges confronting the sector.
“We deeply appreciate the immense sacrifices made daily by Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals. In the face of numerous challenges, they continue to demonstrate exceptional resilience, professionalism, dedication and commitment to saving lives. Their contributions remain critical to national development,” he said.
In her keynote address, the immediate past Commissioner for Health, Prof. Adaeze C. Oreh, called on participants to critically examine the current state of medical practice in Nigeria and explore innovative approaches that will address emerging healthcare challenges in line with the conference theme.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Branch, Dr. (Prof.) Annabel Ureh Oparaodu, expressed gratitude to Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his continued support for the medical profession in Rivers State.
She urged delegates to maximize the opportunities provided by the conference through active engagement and knowledge sharing.
Highlights of the event included the commissioning of the Nigerian Medical Association Doctors’ Lodge and the NMA Water Factory, initiatives designed to improve members’ welfare and promote sustainability within the association.
The National Population Commission (NPC) has announced the commencement of a nationwide digital registration of births and deaths in Rivers State under the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, E-CRVS, System, using the new VitalReg platform.
Federal Commissioner, NPC, Rivers State, Prof. Itotenaan Henry Ogiri, announced said this recently during a press briefing in his Port Harcourt office.
Ogiri said the full digital registration of births and deaths took effect nationwide on July 1, 2026, and is now being implemented across Rivers’ 23 Local Government Areas as part of the Commission’s rollout in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.
“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a modern, technology-driven civil registration system,
“It reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every birth and every death occurring in our country is accurately captured through a secure, efficient and digitally enabled platform,” he said.
The Federal Commissioner noted that while Nigeria records an estimated five million births annually, coverage remains low.
“Birth registration currently stands at about 57%, while death registration is below 20% nationwide.
“These gaps underscore the urgent need for a more efficient and accessible registration system,” he stated.
To address this, he said the commission has established 4,011 functional registration centres across the 774 LGAs, with plans to expand to about 8,000 centres nationwide.
According to him, in Rivers State, structures have been put in place and personnel are working with health facilities, LGAs and community stakeholders to ensure accessibility.
Ogiri explained that the VitalReg platform offers faster registration, 24-hour access, automated data validation for accuracy, reduced paperwork and waiting time, enhanced record security, and a stronger national database to support other government information systems.
He added that the platform would integrate seamlessly with Nigeria’s national digital identity framework, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to improve coordination and service delivery.
“The initiative builds on the launch of the E-CRVS System and the inauguration of the National Coordination Committee on CRVS by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 8, 2023.
“It also aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on digital transformation and transparency,” he said.
The NPC Commissioner stressed that success depends on partnerships and public participation and listed key collaborators as ALGON, NIMC, UNICEF and Barnksforte Technologies Limited.
“In Rivers State, we will continue to work closely with the State Government, Local Government Councils, healthcare providers, traditional institutions, religious organisations, development partners, civil society organisations and the media to ensure that no child or family is left behind,” he said.
The commissioner called on parents, guardians, healthcare workers and community leaders to ensure prompt registration of every birth and death, noting that a complete civil registration system strengthens governance and supports sustainable development.
He reassured the public that birth registration and birth notification services remain highly subsidised, though specialised administrative services such as record modification, certificate reissuance, attestations and verification will attract approved charges to support system sustainability.
Ogiri appreciated the Rivers State Government for its support, and commended NPC staff in the State, as well as development partners, LGAs, healthcare institutions, traditional and religious leaders for advancing civil registration in the state.
He also urged the media to continue to amplify the message “that every birth counts, every death matters and every Nigerian deserves a legal identity.”
“As we commence this new chapter, let us all work together to build a civil registration system that is modern, inclusive and trusted by all,” Ogiri concluded.