George Onafowokan, Managing Director of Coleman Wires and Cables Industries Limited, has called on the Federal Government to prioritize local solutions in addressing Nigeria’s persistent power grid collapses. Onafowokan, in a statement reacting to the frequent outages and the government’s pursuit of power sector investments, emphasized the need for full deregulation and industrialization of the industry.
“There is also a need for industrialisation within the sector. Obsolete wires and cables must be replaced, and all transmission and power project materials should be locally sourced, as the country has more than enough capacity to meet and exceed its needs,” Onafowokan stated. He acknowledged that locally manufactured products might currently be more expensive due to high production costs, but argued that the right investments will only materialize under private-sector-driven policies.
While commending the current administration’s renewed focus on the power sector, the Coleman Wires CEO cautioned that resolving Nigeria’s electricity challenges requires sustained and long-term effort. “These challenges have persisted for years, and I sympathize with this government because they inherited these problems. Solving electricity issues is not an overnight task. When we returned to democracy, we started well, but after eight years, we became complacent,” he said.
Onafowokan attributed the recurring grid collapses and inadequate power supply to an imbalance between power generation and transmission capacity. He warned that simply allocating funds to the sector will not solve the underlying issues. “The billions allocated to the sector won’t make a difference without proper implementation of policies,” he added.
Addressing the recent electricity tariff hikes, Onafowokan stressed the crucial role manufacturers play in job creation and economic stability. He urged the government to adopt policies that actively support local industries, recognizing the burden that high electricity costs place on their operations.
His call comes as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has renewed its appeals for a reduction in electricity tariffs, with MAN President Francis Meshioye vowing to continue advocating for a significant reduction in the increased tariffs. Onafowokan’s emphasis on local solutions and industrialization within the power sector echoes MAN’s concerns about the impact of high electricity costs on local manufacturing and the broader economy.
He believes that a focus on local production of power sector materials and infrastructure will not only help stabilize the grid but also stimulate economic growth and job creation within Nigeria.
