The Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving post-privatisation debts and liquidity constraints affecting Nigeria’s power sector, with renewed emphasis on collaboration with civil society organisations.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Mojoyinoluwa Dekalu-Thomas, made this known on Thursday at the second edition of NELMCO’s Strategic Stakeholders’ Engagement in Abuja.
The forum brought together over 40 civil society organisations (CSOs) to discuss ways of enhancing transparency and accountability in the electricity value chain.
Dekalu-Thomas stated that NELMCO remains central to the Federal Government’s efforts to stabilise the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and address the long-standing financial obligations inherited from the sector’s privatisation.
“In alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, NELMCO has been assigned new responsibilities to drive measurable progress and operational efficiency within the industry,” she said.
Referring to President Tinubu’s directive of March 7, 2024, which underscored NELMCO’s pivotal role in addressing sectoral liabilities, Dekalu-Thomas explained that modalities were being developed to ease the financial burdens that have constrained growth across the power value chain.
She also stressed that transparency and accountability would remain at the core of NELMCO’s operations. “The participation of civil society is crucial to ensuring public trust and fairness in our ongoing reforms,” she added.
The session, themed “Establishing a National Power Assets Register for Nigeria’s Power Sector,” provided a platform for robust dialogue on data management, debt resolution, and efficiency improvement across the sector.
Speaking on behalf of participating CSOs, Comrade Ogakwu commended Dekalu-Thomas for what he described as her consistent and reform-oriented leadership. “Since her appointment, NELMCO has demonstrated resilience and innovation in tackling sectoral challenges. Her leadership has inspired confidence among stakeholders and aligned with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
He further called for continued synergy between NELMCO and civil society to ensure reforms are implemented transparently and sustainably.
The engagement ended with a consensus that deeper cooperation between NELMCO and CSOs would enhance data-driven management through the proposed National Power Assets Register, improve accountability mechanisms, and contribute to achieving a more stable and efficient power sector.
Dekalu-Thomas reiterated that while the process of managing inherited liabilities remains complex, sustained collaboration and reform-driven oversight would ensure the sector moves closer to financial stability and public trust.
