President Bola Tinubu has pledged to improve electricity supply in Nigeria, saying his administration will tackle the country’s power challenges if he secures re-election in 2027.
Tinubu made the promise on Tuesday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital. He also pledged to strengthen the country’s industrial sector and create more employment opportunities.
“We will reduce the cost of living. We will provide reliable power, not the whole privatisation that is not working. We provide you with reliable power in this Nigeria,” the President said.
He also promised to support small and medium-scale enterprises to boost economic activities and generate more jobs.
“We will stimulate a stronger industrial base for our country. We will help nano, small-scale and medium-scale businesses. We will expand job opportunities for real income earners,” he said.
On agriculture, Tinubu promised increased investment in the sector, including subsidies and interest-free loans for farmers, as part of efforts to strengthen food security and lower food prices.
“We have to invest in agriculture, we will subsidize farming, we will reward small scale farmers, interest-free loans for farmers are coming, prosperity is coming, food security will happen,” he said.
The President further announced plans to establish mechanised farming centres across the country’s six geopolitical zones and encourage universities to expand agricultural research and development.
“We are going to install mechanized farming centres in six geographical locations. Our universities will involve in research and development more in agriculture than ever before,” he said.
Earlier electricity pledge
The latest commitment comes amid renewed scrutiny of Tinubu’s previous campaign promise to improve electricity supply and end estimated billing.
During a meeting with members of the Organised Private Sector in Lagos ahead of the 2023 general election, the then presidential candidate assured Nigerians that they would enjoy electricity without receiving estimated bills.
“Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept,” Tinubu said.
He also urged Nigerians not to re-elect him if he failed to fulfil the commitment, unless he provided sufficient reasons for not delivering on it.
“If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me, unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver,” he said.
The remarks have since become a subject of political debate as Tinubu prepares to seek re-election in 2027. Critics have interpreted the statement as a commitment not to seek a second term if he fails to provide stable electricity.
However, the APC Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement issued on November 1, said Tinubu’s comments had been taken out of context.
The council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, argued that some reports had omitted the concluding qualification in which Tinubu said he would provide Nigerians with adequate reasons if he failed to fulfil the promise.
Alake also highlighted the Electricity Act 2023, the Presidential Metering Initiative, efforts to clear legacy debts in the power sector and investments in transmission infrastructure as measures taken by the administration.
Although he acknowledged that efforts to address the electricity crisis were still ongoing, Alake maintained that Tinubu remained committed to his pledge.
“As he seeks Nigerians’ mandate for a second term in office, he will proudly present his scorecard in the power sector and clearly tell Nigerians what remains to be done,” Alake said.