The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Mustafa Abdullahi, says the decision to supply Benin Republic with six percent of Nigeria’s hydroelectric power output is a deliberate strategic move, not a commercial one.

Speaking in a Saturday interview with Channels TV, Abdullahi explained that most of Nigeria’s hydroelectric facilities are located in the South-West and riverine South-South, areas that share waterways with neighbouring countries.

According to him, such cross-border cooperation is essential for regional stability and resource management. He noted that at one point, Benin Republic had considered building a dam close to a Nigerian facility — a move that could have disrupted water flow and reduced power generation for both sides. Negotiations at the time led to a power-sharing arrangement instead.

“It’s about diplomacy and maintaining good relations. We share rivers and other resources with our neighbours, and extending electricity to them is part of that understanding,” Abdullahi said, stressing that the 6% contribution to Benin comes solely from hydro sources.

The ECN boss revealed that about 60% of Nigerians currently have access to electricity, leaving roughly 85 million people without supply. He added that national generation has improved from 4,000 megawatts before 2023 to about 6,000 megawatts now, with the government aiming for further expansion in the coming years.

While acknowledging the country’s challenges, Abdullahi expressed confidence that ongoing policies and investments will push Nigeria closer to achieving stable and sufficient power for all citizens.