Connecting the Dots with Emeka Okpukpara

DRY SEASON RAINS & LIGHT: Why Nigeria's electricity changes between the rainy and dry seasons

In Nigeria, every rainy season precedes the same confusion: If water is necessary for our dams, why do the lights still go out whenit rains? Engineer Lamu Audu explains in this episode howhydropower actually contributes to Nigeria's electrical system. This is astraightforward but crucial discussion about what truly keeps the lights on, from dry season shortages to old infrastructure, grid limitations, and the future of hydro in a world shifting toward solar and decentralised energy. Before discussing the future of electricity, there’s a conundrum that still requires criticalsolutions: Why does power remain so erratic?

FOLLOWING THE MONEY: Making distributed renewables bankable

It’s a national consensus that Nigeria needs reliable power, and for many people, distributed renewable energy feels like the obvious answer. Solar mini-grids, hybrid systems, rooftop solar. The technology is there and the need is huge. So why does financing still feel like the hardest part? In this episode, Dr. Segun Solomon Adaju breaks down what really makes a renewable energy project bankable. It’s not just about solar panels or good intentions, It’s about trust, customer payment patterns, regulation that gives investors’ confidence, and business models that actually survive in the real world. This is a conversation about the money behind the mission, and why solving energy access means solving finance first.

The Business of Power Without Trust II | Engr. Umar Hashidu

The Kaduna Footprint. Customers in Nigeria's power sector don't trust the bills, utilities don't trust collections, and the grid isn't reliable. Engr. Umar stirs the Kaduna DisCo in the middle of this storm and he breaks down how it all works in this episode. From turning around Kano DisCo to betting on battery and solar systems to rethinking how utilities engage with customers. This is the business of power...without trust. 🎙️A Nextier Production Building the society we want to live in.

Can Regulation Keep Up With the Market | Dr. Yusuf Ali

Nigeria’s electricity market is full of contradictions. A system designed for cost-reflective tariffs is operating in a reality where that’s politically difficult. Utilities are expected to deliver while struggling to stay financially viable. Customers have lost trust and are finding ways around the grid. In this episode, Dr. Yusuf Ali (Vice Chairman, NERC) walks us through what it means to regulate inside that tension. From market design to political economy, from tariffs to decentralisation, this is a candid look at the forces shaping the future of electricity in Nigeria.

When Finance Meets the Field | Omosede Imohe

March may be winding down… but we’re still celebrating women building the future. In this episode, Omosede Imohe shares her journey from global finance into Nigeria’s power sector, where she’s helping rethink how electricity is delivered. Through interconnected mini-grids and hybrid systems, her work challenges a long-standing assumption: that the grid and distributed energy must compete. What if they don’t? What if the future is both working together?