30 million Nigerians still live in darkness.

***I am actually ashamed to put up this story, that in the 21st Century, the giant of Africa Nigeria can be reporting this! 30 million!!!

The Federal Government said yesterday that over 30 million Nigerians are yet to be connected with the national electricity grid.

Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo who disclosed this while declaring open, the Nigerian Renewable Energy Private Equity seminar in Abuja, said most of the affected Nigerians are in the rural areas.

Speaking at the seminar organised to sensitise investors, fund managers, policy makers and other stakeholders on the need to support the development of renewable energy, the minister called for more private sector financing to improve electricity supply.

The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Amb. Godknows Igali noted the training is meant to sensitise and mobilise stakeholders to initiate an equity fund through private sector participation to promote sustainable energy.

Citing the United Nations Report on access to power he said, “there is still a wide gap in power supply. Sadly for us here in Nigeria, we still have about 30 million people that do not have access to power at all.”

“This is the reason the federal government is focusing on Renewable Energy (RE) particularly off-grid solar and small hydros that would not need to depend on the national grid,” Nebo said.

Nebo disclosed further that government is now rounding up on financing process for the 3050mw Mambilla hydro dam and would soon be flagged off by President Goodluck Jonathan.