Obi promises 10,000MW power boost in four years, unveils Kwankwaso as running mate
By Aboki Forex —
Peter Obi has pledged to increase Nigeria’s electricity generation and distribution capacity by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years. That would represent a 250% jump from the current output of about 4,000MW.
Obi made the commitment on Saturday, May 30, 2026, while accepting his nomination as the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress at the party’s convention in Abuja. The former Anambra State governor outlined plans across power, healthcare, education, agriculture, security and governance. He said these would form the foundation of his administration if elected president in 2027.
Power sector failures
Obi announced Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State, as his vice-presidential candidate. He said Nigeria’s power shortfall continues to cripple businesses, choke industries and stall economic growth.
In his usual style of comparing Nigeria with other nations, Obi noted that Nigeria has the highest number of citizens without access to electricity in the world. “We currently generate and distribute a mere 4,000 megawatts of electricity for a population exceeding 200 million,” he said.
Obi added that South Africa and Egypt each generate and distribute more than 40,000MW despite having populations less than half of Nigeria’s. “Over the next four years, I commit to ensuring a minimum of 10,000 MW power increase,” he stated.
Healthcare, security, education plans
Beyond power, Obi unveiled plans to reform healthcare, tackle insecurity, improve education and address rising hunger. He lamented that Nigeria’s health insurance coverage remains around 10%, compared with over 90% in Indonesia. He pledged to double national health insurance coverage to above 20% within four years and increase healthcare spending to at least 10% of GDP, up from below 5%.
Obi promised that every one of Nigeria’s 8,809 wards would have a functional primary healthcare centre. At least 50% of the country’s estimated 30,000 primary healthcare facilities would become fully operational by the end of his first term.
On security, Obi said Nigeria moved from being the eighth most terrorism-affected nation globally in 2022 to fourth in 2026. His administration would adopt an intelligence-driven, technology-enabled and community-focused approach while addressing poverty, unemployment and marginalisation.
On education, Obi said investment in schools, teachers, technology and vocational training would remain central to his development agenda. He argued that no nation can rise above the quality of its educational system.
Hunger, unemployment, agriculture
Obi expressed concern over worsening hunger levels. Nigeria slipped from 109th position on the Global Hunger Index in 2023 to 115th in 2025. He said more than 35 million Nigerians are projected to face acute hunger and food insecurity this year despite the country’s vast agricultural resources.
He said transforming Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to a production-focused one through large-scale investment in agriculture remains the most reliable pathway to reducing poverty and food insecurity. He also promised targeted tax incentives, affordable financing and other support measures for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to tackle youth unemployment, which he said exceeds 40%.
Obi also pledged to reduce the cost of governance, strengthen transparency and accountability in public spending, uphold the rule of law and protect democratic institutions.
Background on power sector
Nigeria’s power sector has faced persistent challenges for decades, including inadequate generation capacity, ageing infrastructure, weak transmission networks, mounting debts and chronic inefficiencies. The national grid suffered multiple collapses in recent years. In January 2026 alone, the grid collapsed twice within five days. Similar incidents were recorded in 2025 and 2024 when the grid reportedly failed at least 12 times.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently appointed Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Minister of Power following the resignation of Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down to pursue elective office. The administration also appointed Rilwan Lanre Babalola to lead efforts aimed at restoring stability and improving performance across the electricity value chain.