“Nigeria’s Economy Is Dead Without Nuclear Power” — Ezendigbo Declares in Hard-Hitting Oriontimes Interview

 

By Abioye Tosin Lawrence

Oriontimes | January 2, 2026

Former presidential aspirant, Chief CBN Onwuasoanya Ezendigbo, has described Nigeria’s persistent power crisis as a national failure, insisting that stable electricity is not a favour but the fundamental right of a responsible nation.

Speaking during an interview with Oriontimes, Ezendigbo argued that no country can achieve meaningful development without a reliable power supply, stressing that Nigeria has outgrown temporary solutions such as generators and gas-powered alternatives.

“You cannot do anything in a nation without stable electricity,” he said. “It is not a favour by government; it is the right of the people. If I were president of Nigeria, stable electricity would be non-negotiable.”

According to him, Nigeria’s dependence on generators is a symbol of failed leadership and misplaced priorities. He maintained that true industrialisation cannot occur without embracing nuclear power, which he described as the backbone of modern manufacturing economies.

“You cannot run factories on generators or plants. Nigeria has aged enough for excuses. Without nuclear power, you cannot talk about stable electricity, and without stable electricity, there can be no manufacturing sector,” Ezendigbo stated.

He further criticised the political elite for what he called hypocrisy, noting that public office holders move in convoys of vehicles that are not locally produced, while the country lacks the foundational infrastructure to support industrial growth.

“It doesn’t make sense that governors and senators ride in convoys of cars we cannot produce. Without nuclear power, you cannot have factories. Let us stop deceiving ourselves,” he said.

In a bold challenge, Ezendigbo dismissed arguments against Nigeria’s readiness for nuclear energy, linking the widespread use of generators to environmental degradation and economic inefficiency.

“If anyone says Nigeria is not due for nuclear power, I will bet such a person $100 million,” he declared. “Why are Nigerians buying generators, making noise everywhere, polluting the environment and damaging the ozone layer?”

He also questioned Nigeria’s continued reliance on foreign contractors despite having a large pool of trained professionals and academic institutions.

“We have numerous universities. We have engineers. Why do we import contractors? Why don’t we build by ourselves and form strategic alliances with the Western world? Why must Nigeria remain a consumer nation?” he asked.

Ezendigbo concluded by warning that Nigeria’s economic revival is impossible without a radical shift in power generation strategy, urging citizens and leaders alike to confront uncomfortable truths.

“The Nigerian economy is dead without nuclear power. Nigerians must be honest with themselves,” he said.