Impact of restructuring and privatization on the performance of the electricity sector in Nigeria

The slow and deteriorating performance of the electricity power sector over the last few decades triggered the Federal Government of Nigeria to embark on a power sector reform program. This study examines the impact of the power sector reform (restructuring and privatization) on the performance of the electricity sector in Nigeria over the past twenty-five (25) years. Relevant electricity indicators are used to access the performance changes in three significant period; pure state-ownership, transition (restructuring and unbundling) and full privatization of the sector.

The study also assesses how the effect of the economic environment, regulatory governance and political climate/effectiveness within the period contributes to the improvements in the electricity sector. The results shows that privatization is associated with improvement in the technical efficiency, access to electricity, electricity consumption per capita and an increase in electricity tariff in the sector. Furthermore, the results highlight the significant relationship between regulatory governance and a robust economy on the performance changes observed in the power industry.