A security expert and global affairs analyst, Jackson Lekan Ojo, has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s power sector could witness significant reforms following the inauguration of the House of Representatives‘ Ad-hoc Committee on Power Sector Reform and Expenditures.
Speaking with journalists on Sunday, Ojo said the committee, chaired by Hon. Arch. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, represents a fresh opportunity to address the long-standing challenges confronting the nation’s electricity sector.
He noted that although many Nigerians have lost confidence in previous investigative panels constituted by the House of Representatives due to what he described as their failure to produce meaningful outcomes over the past 17 years, the current committee has inspired renewed hope.
According to him, the panel has been mandated to carry out a comprehensive forensic audit of Nigeria’s power sector, including an investigation into policies, expenditures and interventions implemented between 2007 and 2024.
Ojo expressed confidence in the leadership of Hon. Aliyu, describing him as a disciplined, incorruptible and highly professional individual capable of delivering results that could transform the sector.
He said the committee’s assignment goes beyond another routine investigation, stressing that it presents an opportunity to identify systemic failures, promote accountability and lay the foundation for improved power generation and distribution across the country.
“For many years, Nigerians have become sceptical of probe panels established by the House of Representatives because they have failed to deliver tangible results. That disappointment has contributed to the continued challenges in the power sector,” Ojo said.
He, however, maintained that the current House of Representatives had demonstrated commitment by appointing Hon. Aliyu to head the committee, expressing confidence in the lawmaker’s integrity and competence.
“I believe the 10th National Assembly has made the right decision by appointing Hon. Arch. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu to chair this committee. From my findings, he is disciplined, transparent and possesses the capacity to lead a credible investigation that can bring about lasting reforms in the power sector,” he added.
Ojo said the committee is expected to thoroughly examine interventions in the electricity sector from 2007 to 2024 and make recommendations that would enhance accountability and improve electricity supply nationwide.
He urged Nigerians to support the committee’s work and remain hopeful that its findings would pave the way for meaningful reforms capable of improving power generation, transmission and distribution across the country.
