Abstract:
The study examines the impact of power sector reform on the development of the agricultural sector in Nigeria, between 2005 to 2016. Constant and adequate power supply is an important condition for an advanced agro- sector economy. Against this background, the study poses the following research questions: is there a relationship between the unbundling and privatization of Power Holding Company of Nigeria and the decline in Gross Domestic Product in the agro-manufacturing industry in Nigeria between 2005 to 2016? Did the establishment of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission improve the quantity of energy supply to agro-industries in Nigeria between 2005 to 2016? The study establishes that the unbundling and privatization of Power Holding Company of Nigeria have led to decline in Gross Domestic Product in the agro-manufacturing industry in Nigeria between 2005 to 2016; and that the establishment of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has not improved the quantity of energy supply to agro-industries in Nigeria between 2005 to 2016. Relying on social production and reproduction of material values as our theoretical framework, the study found that the instrumentalist nature of the Nigerian state contributes to the state of inefficient service delivery in the power sector and the resultant effect of this disaggregated action on the agricultural sector. The study made use of secondary sources of data and ex-post facto research design. The study concludes that the reform process has performed below stakeholders’ expectation and it is plagued with many challenges leading to some abysmal growth in the agro- sector. The study recommends for the establishment of a post-privatization framework and strengthening the regulatory framework as a good starting point to resolve problems in the reform.
