NGStakeholders in Nigeria’s power sector, including the Rural Electrification Agency and government officials, emphasized the need to shift from merely expanding electricity infrastructure to focusing on productive uses of energy to boost rural enterprises and economic growth. At a workshop in Abuja, Minister Joseph Tegbe outlined the Federal Government’s new strategy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes enabling economic activities over simply increasing electricity connections. He argued that the success of electrification should be measured by its impact on productivity in sectors like agriculture, agro-processing, and small businesses, rather than just by metrics such as megawatts generated or kilometers of wiring. Tegbe highlighted how inadequate electricity supply hampers agricultural efficiency, leading to significant post-harvest losses and reduced income for farmers.
Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a government initiative with potential implications for economic policy, it presents the stance of officials without overtly endorsing or criticizing it. The framing is balanced, emphasizing both the current state of rural electrification and the proposed shift toward 'e'
