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By Sunny Ikhioya What is it about electricity supply in  Nigeria ? Why is it so difficult to simplify and bring under manageable indices, when other climes have taken it for granted and moved on to greater things? We have had our hopes raised to the zenith and brought down to mother earth during the Obasanjo era, with Bola Ige’s promise of six months delivery. We have also seen our common patrimony shared and handed over to an oligarchic few in the name of privatisation, hoping that the situation will improve. Yet, no luck.  Now Babatunde Fashola, the wonder governor of  Lagos  state, whom all have embraced to bring the lingering challenge to an end is feeling deeply frustrated. With over three years on the job, he is yet to take off. In fact, he is crying foul. What is it about power? Certain private and privileged estates in this country have constant power supply twenty four hours a day. Why is it that they are succeeding and our power companies are failing? Is it...

By Laura Gil Years back, nuclear energy was a fancy option limited to the industrialized world. In due course, nuclear could be an energy source for much of Africa, where only South Africa currently has a nuclear power plant. Governments across the continent are devising development policies to become middle-income countries in the medium term. Socioeconomic growth comes with a rise in energy demand—and a need for a reliable and sustainable energy supply. For industrializing countries in need of a clean, reliable and cost-effective source of energy, nuclear is an attractive option. “ Africa is hungry for energy, and nuclear power could be part of the answer for an increasing number of countries,” says Mikhail Chudakov, deputy director general and head of the Department of Nuclear Energy at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an international organisation that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear technology. A third of the almost 30 countries currently considering nuclear...