By Isqil Najim
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), under the leadership of Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that seasoned professionals lead the proposed Grid Asset Management Company of Nigeria (GAMCO) while prioritizing the patronage of local industries.
In an open letter directed to the President on behalf of the Council and its over 85,000 members, the NSE commended the administration’s bold initiative to fix the nation’s power sector.
While noting that electric power remains the backbone of economic growth, the Society acknowledged that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has been plagued by structural and operational hurdles for decades.
The NSE leadership lauded the recent inauguration of the 11-member committee, chaired by the Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to fast-track the implementation of GAMCO.
The Society expressed strong conviction that this initiative can address long-standing issues such as stranded generation capacity, grid instability, and transmission infrastructure limitations.
The Society also recalled its ongoing support for existing programs, including the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) with Siemens AG, the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP), and the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI).
However, Engr. Rabiu cautioned that technical expertise must be the primary driver of implementation to ensure long-term stability.
To ensure the sustainability of GAMCO, the NSE recommended that the resulting company be led by a seasoned Nigerian Power Engineer with a proven track record, supported by a team of experienced power system and project management professionals.
Before any major investments are made, the Society insists on comprehensive power system and load-flow studies to ensure technical viability, offering its own expertise to undertake these studies on behalf of GAMCO.
Furthermore, the NSE emphasized the need for seamless coordination between GenCos, DisCos, the TCN, and regulators like NERC and NEMSA. In line with the “Buy Nigeria First” philosophy of both the President and the Society, Engr. Rabiu also advocated for prioritizing indigenous and local vendors for equipment supply and technical services.
The NSE further advocated for a deliberate policy to include engineering experts in all power sector reform committees to ensure sound technical decision-making.
In the letter, Engr. Rabiu reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to providing professional policy advisory and technical support to the Federal Government. He maintained that Nigeria possesses the necessary internal talent to build a resilient power infrastructure, provided there is trust in indigenous capacity.
“Sustainable power sector reforms require professional leadership, institutional coordination, and trust in indigenous engineering capacity. Nigeria possesses the technical talent required to build and manage resilient power infrastructure,” Rabiu stressed.
It can be recalled that on March 13, 2026, President Tinubu inaugurated the committee tasked with overseeing the incorporation of GAMCO Limited. The committee, which includes the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Finance, is mandated to professionalize grid asset management and mobilize private capital. Beyond incorporation, the body will review the legal and financial status of assets currently managed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) for a pilot phase.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) was established in 1958 and remains the apex body for the engineering profession in the country.