By Kolawole Ojebisi
Chairman of Transcorp Group, Tony Elumelu, has identified finding permanent solution to the protracted challenge of electricity as essential to realising Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1trn economy.
Elumelu, who spoke on Wednesday, at the company’s Annual General Meeting held in Abuja, said access to reliable power remains the single most critical factor in transforming the Nigerian economy, particularly as the country pushes for increased contribution from the non-oil sector.
“I want to use this opportunity to reiterate that access to electricity remains the single most critical factor in fixing the Nigerian economy, especially as we seek to have the non-oil sector make greater contributions to our economy.
“We must, therefore, fix power to fix and transform Nigeria. We know that to grow a $1tn economy, electricity must be fixed. That is not the case today,” he said.
Elumelu noted that although President Bola Tinubu had directed last year that all impediments to the power sector be removed, the pace of implementation remained slow.
“The President directed last year that all impediments to the power sector should be removed. But I’m afraid to say that critical people who should help to see the President’s vision come alive are afraid to do so. May I use this opportunity to call on them to help translate the President’s initiative idea into action,” he added.
Elumelu also raised concerns about the huge debts owed to Transcorp by the Federal Government for electricity supplied to the national grid.
According to him, the government currently owes the group over N600bn.
“As of date, our Federal Government owes your company over N600bn. That is $400m.
“Much as we, patriotic Nigerian investors, are committed to supporting the efforts of the Federal Government in fixing the economy, we have a rather excruciating burden of subsidising the sector. It requires urgent attention,” he said.
He acknowledged efforts by the present administration to address liquidity issues in the power sector, including the Presidential Metering Initiative and transmission reforms, but stressed that implementation must be swift to prevent further deterioration.
Despite sectoral challenges, Elumelu announced significant growth within the group.
He disclosed that Transcorp PLC’s market capitalisation had risen to over N4.5tn from less than N20bn in 2011 when his group took over the company.
“When we took over this company in 2011, the market cap of Transcorp was actually N2bn. Today, the group market cap is over N4.5tn,” he said.
He added that since the takeover, the company has consistently paid dividends, declaring N1 per share for the 2024 financial year.
“By the time we took over the company in 2011, they had not paid dividends one day. But since we took over the company, we have consistently paid dividends to shareholders. We have declared a Naira dividend for 2024. And 2025 will definitely be better than 2024,” he said.
According to Elumelu, Transcorp Power now has a market value of over N2.7tn and has fully repaid its FX acquisition loan of $215m in 2024.
“When we say that Transcorp is about transforming lives, improving lives and transforming Nigeria and Africa, it is based on the role we play in catalysing development. Power is critical for the development of every economy,” he said.
He also announced the completion of a new 5,000-capacity event centre at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a hub for global events.
“Rwanda, Dubai and Kenya have become event centres. So, we want to put your country on that mark. And you have succeeded,” he said.
Elumelu further disclosed that the company was considering expanding into other critical sectors, including agriculture and renewable energy, following recommendations from shareholders.
“They want us to explore the possibility of going to critical sectors of the economy that will help us to complement what President Bola Tinubu and his government are doing to make life better for everyone,” he said.
“We came back from Israel not too long ago, exploring possibilities about investing in the agriculture sphere. But beyond agriculture, we’re interested in renewable energy.”
He concluded with a message to the investing public: “To shareholders of Transcorp, they are very excited. And to the investment public, it’s time to come on board and enjoy what our shareholders are already having.”
