By Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa Ph.D

Hon. Bolarinwa opened the Day 6 interview series with words of encouragement. He said,

“I am very impressed, encouraged, and motivated by the feedback from the previously released press statements.

This is a clear indication that the people are truly in alignment with the present administration’s programmes.

I assure you that President Tinubu will not disappoint you. He will continue to fulfill his campaign promises to change Nigeria for the better.”

He then turned his attention to the critical issue of NNPC reform, describing it as “the lifeline of Nigeria’s energy future and economic stability.”

According to Hon. Bolarinwa, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company must transition from opacity to transparency, from inefficiency to innovation, and from dependency to sustainability.

He noted that President Tinubu’s drive for reforms in the oil and gas sector is anchored on three key pillars:

1.Transparency ensuring that revenues, contracts, and operations are open, audited, and accountable.

2.Technology deploying modern digital tools for monitoring production, curbing leakages, and enhancing efficiency.

3.Energy Security safeguarding Nigeria’s domestic energy needs while expanding opportunities for export and investment.

To illustrate his point, Hon. Bolarinwa invoked a vivid proverb: “A nation without light stumbles in the dark, but with light, every step becomes progress.”

He explained that just as light is a symbol of hope and direction, energy reforms are the power that will illuminate Nigeria’s path to growth and prosperity.

He also linked the reforms to everyday realities faced by Nigerians. “For too long, ordinary citizens have stood in endless petrol queues or endured nights of blackout.

These reforms are designed to change that narrative.

With a reformed NNPC and a stronger electricity law, fuel will flow more steadily, power will reach more homes, and industries will thrive without relying endlessly on generators,” he said.

Hon. Bolarinwa pointed out that the NNPC has too often been perceived as a “government within a government,” but reforms are already redirecting it towards being a profitable, competitive, and transparent national company that works for Nigerians.

On the Electricity Amendment Bill, he explained that it is a crucial complement to reforms in the energy sector. The bill, he said, will:

Decentralize power generation and distribution,

Encourage state and private sector participation,

Expand renewable energy adoption, and

Ensure affordable and reliable electricity supply to households and industries.

Hon. Bolarinwa further emphasized that Nigeria cannot achieve industrialization without reliable power and efficient energy management. He said, “Our industries, schools, hospitals, and homes depend on energy.

By reforming NNPC and amending our electricity laws, we are laying the foundation for jobs, growth, and sustainable development.”

He then provided a brief SWOT analysis of NNPC Reform and the Electricity Amendment Bill:

SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

• Greater transparency and accountability in oil and gas revenues.
• Improved efficiency through technology adoption.
• Increased investor confidence in Nigeria’s energy sector.
• More reliable power supply to industries and communities.

Weaknesses:

• Resistance to change from entrenched interests.
• Inadequate infrastructure for nationwide electricity distribution.
• Possible delays in implementing reforms at the grassroots level.
• Capacity challenges in regulatory institutions.

Opportunities:

• Expansion of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro.
• Job creation across the oil, gas, and power value chains.
• Increased local refining to reduce fuel import dependence.
• Economic diversification driven by reliable energy supply.

Threats:

• Global shifts towards clean energy reducing oil demand.
• Political interference in NNPC operations and electricity reforms.
• Risk of corruption if oversight systems are not fully enforced.
• Potential conflicts between federal and state roles in power distribution.

Hon. Bolarinwa concluded by reaffirming that both the NNPC reform and the Electricity Amendment Bill are not just policies, but promises in action. “The journey to a stronger Nigeria rests on responsible energy management. President Tinubu is committed to making Nigeria energy-secure, transparent, and technologically driven.”

Signed

Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, PhD