$1trn Economy: Tegbe, Anuwe to lead debate on power sector

By Onu Okorie

Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy will come under scrutiny at the 6th Annual Conference of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN), with the Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Tegbe, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FGN Power Company Limited, Kenny O. Anuwe, expected to lead discussions on the country’s electricity supply challenges.
The conference, scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2026, in Abuja, will hold at Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja will provide a platform for government officials, industry operators, investors and other stakeholders to examine how Nigeria can bridge the gap between its economic aspirations and the persistent limitations of its electricity infrastructure.
With the theme, “$1trn Economy: Nigeria’s Roadmap to Reliable and Affordable Power Supply,” the gathering will focus on the policy choices, investments and institutional reforms required to deliver electricity that can support industrialisation, business expansion and national development.
Tegbe is expected to chair the conference, while Anuwe will deliver the keynote address titled, “FGN Power: Progress, Priorities and the Road Ahead.”
Anuwe’s presentation is expected to provide insights into the interventions being undertaken by FGN Power Company, its strategic priorities and its contribution to the Federal Government’s broader efforts to address infrastructure gaps in the electricity sector.
His address will also offer stakeholders an opportunity to examine the role of government-backed power infrastructure investments in improving the performance and reliability of the electricity value chain.
The choice of the $1 trillion economic ambition as the focus of this year’s conference reflects the growing recognition that electricity supply remains a major determinant of Nigeria’s ability to attract investment, expand manufacturing and improve productivity.
For an economy seeking substantial expansion, stakeholders argue that affordable and dependable electricity must go beyond policy declarations to measurable improvements in generation, transmission and distribution.
The conference is therefore expected to examine the relationship between ongoing power-sector reforms and the practical requirements of businesses and electricity consumers, particularly the need for sustained investment, improved infrastructure and a more efficient electricity market.
Speaking ahead of the event, PCAN Chairman, Mr. Obas Esiedesa, said the conference was taking place at a critical period in the country’s economic and electricity-sector reform journey.
According to him, the Federal Government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy cannot be separated from the availability of reliable and affordable electricity.
“With Nigeria pursuing its ambition of building a $1 trillion economy, access to reliable and affordable electricity remains critical to industrial expansion, business competitiveness, job creation and improved living standards,” Esiedesa stated.
He explained that the conference would provide an important opportunity for stakeholders to interrogate the connection between Nigeria’s economic ambitions and the performance of its electricity sector.
Beyond the keynote address, discussions are expected to cover power-sector reforms, investment opportunities, infrastructure development, financing mechanisms and sustainable approaches to improving electricity supply nationwide.
Tegbe’s participation is also expected to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with the Federal Government’s policy direction, ongoing reforms and strategies for addressing structural challenges confronting the electricity industry.
The conference comes amid continuing concerns over the capacity of the power sector to provide consistent electricity for households, small businesses and industrial consumers, despite successive government interventions and reform initiatives.
Industry stakeholders are expected to use the gathering to examine how existing policies and investments can translate into tangible improvements in electricity availability, affordability and service delivery.
The annual PCAN conference has become one of the association’s platforms for bringing together policymakers, regulators, operators and other critical players to discuss developments in the electricity industry and deepen public understanding of the sector.
The central question confronting participants will be how Nigeria can transform its trillion-dollar economic aspiration into reality without first resolving the electricity constraints that continue to limit the productive capacity of its economy.