Eng. Abiodun Olotu Pledges Support to President Tinubu in Reviving Power Sector

Eng. Abiodun Olotu Pledges Support to President Tinubu in Reviving Power Sector

Engr. Abiodun Olotu, a distinguished member of professional bodies and a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), recently sat down for an interview with NewsThumb Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Sotayo Olayinka. During the discussion at his office in Abuja, Engr. Olotu shared insights on the power sector in Nigeria and expressed his readiness to support President Tinubu's efforts to revive it.

**Can we meet you, Sir?**

My name is James Abiodun Olotu, a retired technocrat. My last role was as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC). I am a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and other professional bodies, and I hold a PhD from Powell University in America. At NDPHC, our assignment was to build 20 power plants of 250 megawatts each and develop transmission lines and substations across Nigeria. We also undertook numerous projects nationwide, including developing gas infrastructure to connect NGC to other power plants.

I served as MD from 2006 to 2016. By the time I left, we had delivered six power plants, with three and a half others about 70% complete and 2700 km of transmission lines. In Lagos alone, we completed 66 projects, including the Alagbon power project. The biggest transmission substation in Nigeria today is at Oke Aro in Lagos, with a 1.5 megawatt transmission capacity on a 33 kV power line. This substation, built on land secured with the help of then-Governor Babatunde Fashola, continues to serve the people of Lagos State.

Unfortunately, after my departure, the 2600 megawatts of capacity we developed has collapsed to around 309 megawatts. The remaining projects, which should have been completed by 2018, remain unfinished. This situation underscores the need for competent professionals to manage such critical infrastructure.

**Since you have left office and many are advocating for professionals like you to come back, is there any move or advice you have given to this country?**

We voted for the APC based on integrity and competency. We believe in Mr. President’s resilience and leadership, which he demonstrated as governor of Lagos State. Nigeria is blessed with natural resources and human capacity, but we lack good leadership to drive the economy to prosperity. I urge knowledgeable professionals in various fields to join Mr. President in building this nation. With their expertise, Nigeria can move forward.

Now that there has been little development since you left, would you come back if you were called to fix the national grid and transmission challenges in the power sector?

I am ready to work with Mr. President to achieve his goals of renewed hope and improved power supply. The lack of progress since we left is due to the absence of capable hands. Employing people based on merit rather than sentiment is crucial. We need the best hands, regardless of region or gender, to drive the mission forward.

What are the main problems in the power sector, and what solutions do you propose?

The power sector faces three main problems: management, capacity, and outdated equipment. We need to build capacity across the entire value chain—generation, transmission, and distribution. Upgrading infrastructure and utilizing modern equipment is essential. For example, we upgraded the Ayede station in Ibadan with a new transformer, which proved invaluable when the old one failed.

Additionally, regions with abundant natural resources should utilize them for power generation. Hydropower, solar energy, and waste-to-energy projects can be tailored to different areas based on their resources.

What’s your take on the challenges facing the Mambilla power project and your wishes for the second year of Mr. President in office?

Mambilla has been on the drawing board for over 40 years. It was transferred to NDPHC around 2014 but returned to the Ministry of Power due to political interference. The project faces legal and bureaucratic challenges. Resolving these issues and prioritizing Mambilla’s completion could significantly boost power generation in Nigeria.

Thank you for your time, Sir.

Thank you.