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By Adewale Sanyaolu
An energy expert and Chairman of Pana Holdings, Daere Akobo, has advocated the formation of an independent, privately led Energy Council to tackle Nigeria’s unending power crises.
Akobo stated this at the 2025 Gas Turbine Asset Management Conference held recently in Abuja with the theme: “Powering the Future – One Upgrade at a Time.”
He explained that the non-profit body would be composed of volunteer experts offering advisory support to government institutions, aimed at ensuring consistent, technically sound reforms in the energy space.
He highlighted the gap between Nigeria’s installed power capacity, estimated at 12,000 megawatts, and the actual utilised output, which lingers around 4,500 megawatts, emphasising the critical role of gas turbines not just as utility for power generators but as core enablers of economic resilience as Nigeria continues its quest for reliable and scalable electricity.
“Reliable electricity is the lifeblood of economic growth, and bridging this gap demands immediate, systemic reform, beginning with the reinstatement of the Presidential Power Initiative,” Akobo said.
Hosted by Thomassen Energy and PE Energy, the event set a decisive tone for transforming the country’s energy sector and revitalising its industrial foundation through innovation, accountability, and strategic partnerships.
Representing Senator John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications, Ifeoma Williams, urged participants to move from rhetoric to results.
According to Enoh, the industry must no longer leave conferences with recommendations alone but with a resolve to manage and sustain Nigeria’s gas assets with intelligence, urgency, and courage.
The Chief Executive Officer of Thomassen Energy, Peter Stuttaford, reinforced the company’s commitment to the Africa region. “We are proud to partner with PE Energy in optimizing turbine performance across Africa. Our goal is to deliver fast, reliable solutions that meet the needs of today’s evolving energy systems.”
The event also featured a high-level panel discussion with key industry figures, including Joy Ogaji, CEO, Association of Power Generation Companies; Olurotimi Famoroti, CEO, First Independent Power PLC; Chris Osarumwense, Managing Partner, Greenfields Consultancy; and Abdullahi Kassim, Executive Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
A central theme throughout the session was the need for smarter asset management. Proposals centred on implementing remote, centralised monitoring systems to increase efficiency and transparency, and leveraging AI and predictive maintenance technologies to boost turbine reliability and reduce downtime.
Participants also called for strategic localisation of turbine parts manufacturing and the creation of regional service hubs to foster technical expertise and reduce foreign dependency.
The call to action extended beyond technology and also advocated for aligning power generation with economic zones, urging generation companies to directly support regional industrial clusters. This approach aims to tether energy output more closely to local manufacturing and commercial demand, stimulating job creation and sustainable growth.
