Olusegun Obasanjo. Photo credit: OOLI
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria will not resolve its persistent electricity crisis until the private sector takes greater responsibility for the country’s energy sector.
Obasanjo said government alone could not solve the problem.
This is as he urged Nigeria to adopt the approach used in transforming the telecommunications industry by transferring greater responsibility to private operators.
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 involvement in the sector.
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“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, 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.
Tosin Oyediran is a journalist with Punch Newspapers, bringing over eight years of newsroom experience to his coverage of politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment. Known for sharp interviews and human-centered reporting, his work focuses on public accountability, civic issues, and the stories shaping everyday lives.
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Source: Punch · Tosin Oyediran
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