https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/28 2026-04-21T10:14:29Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3505 Recurrent Collapse of Nigeria’s National Power Grid: Governance Challenges, Socio Economic Consequences, And Legislative Pathways for Reform Ejalonibu, Ganiyu; Olaniyan, Taiwo; Samson, Oche Okoh An unstable electricity supply remains one of the major challenges Nigeria has yet to overcome since its independence on October 1, 1960. Furthermore, Nigeria’s national power grid has collapsed either partially or completely over 564 times between 2000 and 2022, with multiple failures continuing into 20241 and still ongoing to date. These recurrent outages stem from outdated infrastructure, regulatory inefficiencies, financial instability, and inadequate security of power assets. The socio-economic consequences are severe, ranging from industrial downtime and healthcare risks to educational disruption and environmental degradation.2 The Electricity Act of 2025 establishes a legislative framework for reform, including the decentralisation of power generation, enhanced regulatory oversight, and the promotion of renewable energy integration.3 Effective implementation, however, requires political will, financial transparency, and harmonization of federal and state laws. Without decisive action, Nigeria risks perpetuating grid instability that constrains economic growth and deepens inequality. With reform, the country can unlock new opportunities for industrialization, sustainability, and inclusive development. This Issue Brief therefore recommends that the National Assembly through the joint efforts of Senate and House Committees on Power and Renewable energy may wish to: 1. enforce its appropriation and oversight powers as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on all the Ministries, Department, and Agencies (MDAs) that have to do with power supply in the country to embark on grid modernization by investing in smart grid technologies and upgrade transmission infrastructure throughout Nigeria like: Morocco, South Africa, and Egypt. 2. ensure, through oversight, a full implementation of the Electricity Act 2025, which amended the 2023 Electricity Act to close perceived gaps, strengthen enforcement, clarify jurisdictional boundaries, and harmonise all the federal and state laws that have similarities to avoid regulatory overlap for legal clarity. 3. organize, through the joint efforts of Senate and House Committees on Police Affairs, Interior, National Security and Intelligence, and Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, a public hearing with the relevant stakeholders in the power and security sectors to enhance protection of power assets against vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure in Nigeria. 4. encourage the executive arm of government at the federal and state levels to provide tax incentives and subsidies for renewable energy projects and investors in Nigeria for the expansion of renewable energy in Nigeria. 5. encourage the Federal Ministry of Power to expand solar, wind, and hydro projects to diversify supply and reduce reliance on the fragile grid for Renewable Energy Integration. 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3503 Nigeria and the Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Urgent Fiscal and Energy Security Responses to a Global Oil Shock Ejalonibu, Ganiyu; Ezenwajiobi, Chidinma Charity; Soliu, Shamshudeen .O The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is one of the world’s most important oil transit chokepoints, handling about 20% of global crude and liquefied natural gas exports. Recent escalation of conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran and reported restrictions on maritime passage have raised fears of a partial or full closure of the strait, sparking sharp movements in global oil markets. In early March 2026, Brent crude prices jumped as much as 10% to around $80 per barrel on fears of supply disruption, with analysts warning prices could rise above $100 per barrel if the disruption continues. For Nigeria, whose economy remains heavily dependent on oil for export earnings and government revenue, such a shock offers both potential benefits and serious risks. Higher crude prices could improve fiscal inflows and foreign exchange reserves in the short term, but global inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions could undermine domestic economic stability, weaken consumer welfare, and exacerbate inflation. To harness potential gains of the global oil shock and mitigate risks, Nigeria must act swiftly across several fronts. This brief hereby recommend among others that the National Assembly through its Senate and House Committees on National Planning and Economic Development, Senate and House Committees on Upstream, Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Resources, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders like the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Ministry of Finance, The Central Bank Governor, Secretary General of the Federation, among others, may wish to convene a public dialogue on the strategies to be deploy in order to harness the benefits of oil price hike and also mitigate the potential traits of global inflation on Nigeria. 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3500 Judicial Delays and Prolonged Electoral Litigation in Nigeria: Urgent Need for Legislative Intervention Udefuna, Patrick N.; Yerima, Hassan; Samson, Oche Okoh Electoral litigation in Nigeria has become a persistent challenge, with delays in the resolution of election petitions undermining the credibility of electoral outcomes and weakening democratic stability. Although the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended) and the Electoral Act 2026 prescribe timelines for filing, adjudication, and appeals, practical challenges such as procedural bottlenecks and interlocutory applications have prevented timely resolution. Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, legislative authority is vested in the National Assembly (Sections 4 and 58), including the power to make laws regulating elections and judicial procedure. Prolonged litigation creates governance uncertainty, erodes public confidence in electoral institutions, and fosters political tension. To address judicial delays and prolonged electoral litigation, this brief, therefore, recommends the following: 1. The National Assembly, through the Senate and House Committees on Judiciary, and the Committee of Electoral Matters, may consider undertaking effective oversight of the National Judicial Council in order to ensure that the courts/ tribunals adhere to procedural timelines for election petitions, including filing, adjudication, and appeals. This may be done through the office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to ensure that all electoral disputes are conclusively resolved before the inauguration of elected officials. This reform should establish clear deadlines for each stage of the process, limit opportunities for frivolous or dilatory motions, and provide statutory mechanisms for enforcement. 2. The National Assembly through Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters should strengthen their oversight of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure timely release of relevant electoral materials required by litigants to effectively pursue their cases. This is because the bureaucratic bottlenecks and high cost of accessing these materials constitute serious impediment to effective pursuit of cases especially as the onus of prove rests on the plaintiff. 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3498 High Rates of Organ Failure and Cardiovascular Diseases Linked to Local Grinding Machines in Nigeria: Legislative Pathways for Health Protection and Food Safety Ejalonibu, Ejalonibu; Ezenwajiobi, Chidinma Charity; Umeh, Chidi .N. Recent findings from the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO 2026) indicate that the rising prevalence of organ failure and cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria may be linked to heavy metal contamination in food processed with locally fabricated grinding machines. These machines widely used in markets and small-scale food processing businesses, have been found to leach dangerous levels of metals such as lead, chromium, nickel, cadmium, iron, and zinc into staple food products, potentially exceeding safe limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Prolonged consumption of contaminated food is linked to chronic organ damage, heart disease, and increased disease burden among Nigerians, including young and old adults. This brief outlines the evidence, public health implications, socioeconomic impacts, and legislative pathways for the National Assembly of Nigeria to act decisively. Addressing this emerging public health challenge and ensuring healthy living among Nigerians, This brief hereby recommends the following: i. The National Assembly, through its relevant Committees, (e,g Senate and House Committees on Science, Technology & Innovation) may wish to advice the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology on the need to develop national standards specifying food-grade materials (e.g., stainless steel Grade 304/316 and also increase the normal electric blenders to extra-large sizes) and fabrication protocols for all grinding equipment. ii. ii. NASS may also wish to urge the Federal Government to provide fiscal incentives (grants/tax breaks) to manufacturers and vendors to adopt safer, NAFDAC-approved grinding machines like FIIRO’s stainless-steel model. iii. iii. Encourage the relevant Federal Ministries to facilitate training for grinding machine operators on maintenance, hygiene, and contamination prevention. 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z