Swallow Your Pride, Learn from Peter Obi—Nigerians Blast Tinubu’s Govt as Minister Visits Egypt to Study Power Generation.
Abuja, Nigeria – In a move that has sparked reactions across political circles, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has traveled to Egypt to study the country’s electricity generation system. The visit comes months after members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ridiculed Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, for making a similar trip to the North African nation in 2022.
Minister Adelabu’s Trip to Egypt
Adelabu’s visit is reportedly aimed at understanding Egypt’s power generation, transmission, and distribution system as Nigeria continues to struggle with a failing electricity sector. The minister, who has been under pressure to address Nigeria’s frequent power outages, is expected to engage with top Egyptian energy officials and experts to explore strategies for improving Nigeria’s electricity supply.
Egypt is known for its efficient power infrastructure, having successfully increased its generation capacity to over 60,000 megawatts (MW), far exceeding Nigeria’s struggling 4,000–5,000 MW output. This success has made Egypt a case study for many African nations seeking to reform their power sector.
The Irony of the Visit
The minister’s trip has drawn attention due to the APC’s previous criticism of Peter Obi, who visited Egypt in June 2022 to study the country’s electricity sector, education system, and finance management. At the time, several APC members mocked Obi, suggesting that governance required experience rather than overseas study tours. Some party supporters had dismissed his visit as a “social media stunt” and questioned its relevance to Nigeria’s challenges.
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Now, with Tinubu’s minister embarking on a similar mission, many Nigerians have taken to social media to call out the hypocrisy of the ruling party. Critics argue that Adelabu’s visit validates Obi’s decision to study Egypt’s power model, highlighting that Nigeria’s leaders must look beyond politics to find practical solutions to the country’s problems.
Reactions from Nigerians
The development has sparked a wave of reactions from political analysts and social commentators. Many Obi supporters have used the opportunity to call for an apology from the APC for ridiculing Obi’s foresight.
- Akinola Johnson, a public affairs analyst, said:
“If the APC mocked Peter Obi for going to Egypt, why is their own minister doing the same thing? This just shows that Obi was right all along.” - Chidi Okeke, a political commentator, noted:
“This government must swallow its pride and admit that Nigeria needs strategic learning from countries that have succeeded where we are failing.”
Meanwhile, some APC loyalists have defended Adelabu’s visit, arguing that as a serving minister, he is in a better position to implement lessons learned from Egypt compared to Peter Obi, who was a candidate at the time.
Nigeria’s Power Crisis and the Search for Solutions
Nigeria has faced decades of power supply issues, with inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and poor policy implementation crippling the sector. The National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has repeatedly struggled to enforce policies that could improve power generation and distribution. Despite multiple reforms, privatizations, and interventions, the country’s electricity supply remains unreliable, forcing businesses and households to rely on costly generators.
Egypt, on the other hand, has been able to expand its power capacity through major investments, strategic partnerships, and a strong regulatory framework. If Adelabu’s trip results in a workable strategy for Nigeria, it could be a step toward addressing the chronic electricity shortage that has hindered economic growth.
Conclusion
While the effectiveness of Adelabu’s Egypt trip remains to be seen, the political irony of the situation is not lost on Nigerians. The minister’s visit has not only reignited debates about Peter Obi’s policy vision but also raised questions about why APC leaders initially dismissed an idea they are now pursuing.
As Nigeria looks for ways to resolve its electricity crisis, many citizens are hoping that the lessons learned from Egypt will translate into real improvements, rather than just another political tour with no impact.
