A former Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Agency and ex-Kogi governorship aspirant, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare, tells TOPE OMOGBOLAGUN about his career, politics, family, and other issues
Your father is a politician, and you seem to have been born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Tell us about your childhood.
I was born in Abuja. Back then, my dad worked with the Federal Capital Development Authority. They were the ones that ‘built’ Abuja, and I think they started from the Suleja area of the Federal Capital Territory. And, our family house is still there.
However, I am from Adavi Local Government Area in Kogi State and belong to the Ibira tribe. I am married with three lovely girls.
I attended schools in Suleja (Abuja), Jos (Plateau State), and the United Kingdom.
How was the experience like being raised in a privileged home?
I did not feel like I was raised in a privileged home, because my dad was a disciplinarian. He believed that the country had a lot to offer, but one needed to be prepared and work hard toward it. He also established a business, so, he worked hard for his money. He instilled hard work in us so that we could survive in any part of the country.
I believe that if one is hard working, coupled with the gifts/talents God had given one, one would be able to succeed anywhere in the world.
I keep talking about this Nigeria dream. One needs to have the right values, experiences, and orientations before one can key into the dream. I have seen it happen firsthand to a lot of people. They literarily came from nowhere, and had nothing but hope and hard work; yet, they kept toiling, and eventually, things fell into place.
That was the orientation we were raised with. We did not really enjoy special privileges.
We lived in the same house with many other family members. It was a polygamous home and a very big family. We had cousins, aunts, uncles, and other relatives living together, eating from the same pot, and going to the same school.
The only way one could distinguish oneself was to work hard and show that one really knew what one was doing.
That is why I always want to excel in whatever task I am given to do. I always strive for perfection, and give my all. When I do that and succeed, then I know that I deserve whatever comes my way. I don’t just sit down and expect anything to be given to me.
Tell us about your education in the United Kingdom.
I went to the UK for a Master’s degree in Energy Finance from the University of Dundee in Scotland. After that, I started my doctorate in Rural Energy from the same university but completed it at the De Montfort University in Leicester.
What piqued your interest in rural electrification?
I grew up in a home where one had to care about what was going on in one’s environment. One needed to see how one could contribute to society and make a positive impact
Inadequate electricity supply had always been an issue in the country, and I was curious as to why it was an issue. I was also thinking of how the challenge could be overcome. I don’t like to dwell too much on challenges; I prefer looking for how to solve problems. It was because of that curiosity that I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Energy Finance. Economics is broad, and I needed to specialise in a particular aspect where I knew I could make an impact.
Rural areas are the most affected places in terms of underdevelopment. They rarely get the dividends of democracy, and I thought of ways to help them. Since electricity is very important, I figured that if one was able to provide electricity for them, the economies of those rural places would witness a boom.
I am always thinking of how to help people, and that was part of the reasons I decided to vie for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State.
Many people did not understand why I resigned from my job as the ED of REA and wanted to contest the governorship election. However, it was never about me. It is always about the people, who form the bulk of society.
If rural areas are well developed, that would stem the rural-urban drift. When people stay in their villages and they can get everything they want, such as good healthcare, education, and electricity, they would not think of going to the city.
You were one of the youngest people to be appointed by the former President, Muhammadu Buhari. How was it like operating at such as level at a young age?
I honestly did not see it as a big deal. That is because I had always been like that. While growing up, I read a lot about great people, including African and world leaders. I realised that those people often started (their careers) early, because they knew what they wanted, and they prepared for it. And then somehow, the universe ‘conspired’ to give them leadership positions at an early age.
For some people watching, it might seem like I was lucky to get the opportunity at my age. However, I have always been prepared. I had always known what I wanted, and how I intended to contribute. Right from when I was in secondary school, I knew I was going to study Economics to a Ph.D. level. I also knew that I would be coming back to public service. Somehow, I had it all planned out.
I thank God that things worked the way I had planned them. When I got into public office, I was already prepared for it, and I gave my all.
Some people were surprised, but if they studied the country’s history, they would realise that young people were the ones running government and businesses.
I thank God that we were able to deliver to the best of our abilities before I left the office.
What were your major achievements in that office?
I would like to go back to what was obtainable before we came to REA. We were connected to the national grid, which is epileptic. There were lots of issues surrounding payment of tariffs, vandalism, and many other things.
When we came on board, we needed to look for an alternative that would complement the national grid. Even though our mandate at the REA allowed us to develop alternatives, we continued to support and strengthen the grid. But, we also needed to create a new vista of opportunities in the renewable energy space that would help us to complement the grid and improve access to electricity, as well as create jobs.
For me, our greatest achievement was that we were able to make Nigerians trust renewable energy. We were also able to get the government to accept the policy on renewable energy in line with the United Nations’ ‘Sustainable Energy For All’ goals. All the policies we introduced were adopted, and all the regulations were passed, especially the mini-grade revolution that allows for the production and supply of electricity below one megawatt.
From the onset, the government believed in the solutions that we brought, and they supported us, which enabled international donors to have enough confidence in the process to bring in funding. That, in turn, inspired the private sector to bring in their funds too. Before then, nobody was ready to take their money to rural communities to invest. But, because of the things we did, people now invest in rural areas.
Once we got it right, it opened up the space for everybody that was willing to abide by the rules to come in, and I consider that to be our major achievement.
During your campaign to clinch the governorship ticket of the APC, you stated that you wanted to make Kogi State a logistics hub. What has happened to that dream now since you did not clinch the ticket?
It is still there. Dreams don’t die!
My experience going into Kogi politics is very instructive. I would not have gained that experience from anywhere else. If I was just sitting there and doing my rural electrification job, I would never have known how things worked in real life. It is one thing to have a dream, and another thing to get there and actualise the dream.
I am a man of faith, and I believe that if God wanted it to work out, He would have aligned everything for it to work out for me. If He did not allow it to work out now, it is because He knows best. But, that does not mean the ideas I have for my people will die. I am still a member of the party, and I have access to the governorship candidate. If he wins the election, we will give him some of those ideas if he is willing to implement them.
During the primary election, you complained that certain things went wrong about the election. Are you still in good terms with the governor, Yahaya Bello, following what happened?
Of course. Yahaya Bello is not just the governor; he is my uncle as well. Even if we had a bit of misalignment, it does not affect anything. Things like that are normal in politics. Even in a family, a husband, wife and even the children could have some misalignment sometimes.
I have a very good relationship with the governor.
In recent times, there has been renewed clamour for youths to participate in governance. What should the youth expect from President Bola Tinubu’s administration in that regard?
I think the youths should be very optimistic. This is a youth-friendly government, as demonstrated in the appointments that have been made. I have no doubt that the president is a man of his words. He has said that he would ensure at least three ministers are below the age of 40, and I think six below the age of 50. He also said that 20 per cent of the appointments would be reserved for those less than 40 for ministries, departments and agencies.
In that regards, I think the youth have to put their best foot forward. We need to project those who have the experience, knowledge, capacity and integrity to go there and do the work, because governance is serious business.
From the first set of appointments that have been made by the president, some credible young people who have capacities were among them. Right now, we are waiting to see the ministerial list and subsequently, those for the heads of agencies, who are like the engine room for implementation of government policies.
We will continue to pray to God to give the president more wisdom, and guide him to put the right people in the right places.
The Renewed Hope manifesto of the new government proposed the rapid upscaling of Nigeria’s economy to one that benefits every citizen, through a comprehensive national security strategy, fiscal and monetary policy reforms, rapid industrialisation, revitalisation of the agricultural sector, stable and sustainable energy supply among others. Do you think this administration can achieve those goals?
Leadership, sometimes, does not necessarily mean being the one to implement or singlehandedly get the job done. The job of a leader is to have the vision. The next thing is to look for people that can help one drive and achieve that vision. It might not happen immediately, but if one has the right people on the right path, they would eventually succeed.
To judge leaders, one has to look at their foundation and antecedents. I think the president is building a solid foundation. He had the courage and political will to remove the monster called subsidy that had been bedeviling our economy. It takes a man that understands the economy to do that. He knows that it is painful and people will suffer; but in the long run, it would be better for everybody.
He also talked about fiscal policy, and he has started implementing that. The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, is currently being probed. Let’s see what will come out of the investigation.
The president has also tried to harmonise the exchange rate, which is something every economist knows creates room for corruption. I feel he has taken a step in the right direction when it comes to monetary policy. And, that’s even without the CBN having a substantive governor yet.
In the aspect of security, he has appointed new security chiefs, and he has charged them to work together.
The problem of inadequate electricity supply has been a lingering issue. What can be done to solve the problem once and for all?
The same problem in the energy sector as regards subsidy is similar to what we are facing in the power sector. There is a regulator that has a multi-year tariff order in terms of how the tariff should be adjusted, taking into cognisance exchange rate, inflation and other factors. But, for political reasons, every year, we try to defer it, and by so doing, we have a gap that needs to be paid, so the government continues to pay in trillions. We also have a subsidy issue in the power sector, and nobody would invest their money if they are not sure of how to recover it, because the government could wake up tomorrow and say they don’t have money to continue paying subsidy.
Meanwhile, why can’t we allow those in the city to pay the true cost for electricity? Immediately fuel subsidy was removed, the petroleum sector became cost reflective. Consumption dropped by 40 per cent. If people pay the real cost of electricity, they will learn to buy energy efficient bulbs and put off appliances when not in use. By and large, the impact will not be as negative as people assume, because as human beings, we have the innate ability to adjust.
What does it feel like being a technocrat in Nigerian politics?
That is actually how it is supposed to be. One cannot just wear one hat and say because one is a technocrat, one can only get appointed or be appointed to a position after the politicians have gone to do the hard work of winning elections.
Having read about many great people and seeing the dichotomy between technocrats and politicians, I asked myself why the two could not be combined. What stops one from being a technocrat and politician at the same time. The bottom line is service. If one is a technocrat, one is constantly looking for solutions for people’s problems. Also, if one is a politician, one is offering oneself to the people for service. It is practically the same goal; it is just the terminologies that defer. One should acquire skills and be known for something in one’s field. But then, one should also join a political party, and help them develop their policies.
If we did not have technocrats working with the government, some of the policies and regulations we have now would not be there. And, that is why I keep encouraging young people who are interested in politics to first develop themselves and be proficient in whatever field of their choosing. That way, they will enrich the debate. If knowledgeable people continue to leave politics for the so-called ‘local’ people, they would be doing a disservice to the country.
I am an expert in my field, but I am also very concerned about what is happening politically. I joined the APC in 2014 when it was created, and at that time, I did not even know that I was going to become an executive director in REA. I have always considered politics to be very important because it drives practically every other area of human endeavour. The laws and policies that are put in place by politicians affect everybody.
How are you able to juggle your professional and political careers with your family life in a way that none suffers?
I got married in 2014, and I’ve been married for nine years now. It is important for one to always balance things. If there is anything I always pray to God for, it is balance, because we (human beings) tend to get carried away, not just with family.
I am lucky I have a lovely, understandable and understanding wife that knows the kind of husband she has, and tries to tolerate me.
When it comes to balance, it is not even just about family, but with spirituality, faith and God as well. One also needs to find balance with one’s mental and physical health. I always pray to have a fine line to be able to manage all these things, because that is what makes one who one is actually. If one is not able to manage all these things; then, there is a problem.
How did you meet your wife?
It was one of those days when I came back to the country, while studying for my PhD. I was just moving around, and we met somehow. We started talking and kept in touch.
Back then, I was getting worried because I had spent a lot of time in the UK, and life over there is pretty much regimented— from work to home; and back again. So, it was difficult to meet the right kind of people. I was lucky I came home at the time I did and God gave me this gift of my wife.
As a good-looking, young and influential Abuja man, how do you ward off female admirers?
For me, it’s not even just about now. It has always been there, even while I was growing up. Even right from secondary school, I had always been surrounded by this kind of things, so it is normal to manage them.
A lot of them see me as being too serious anyway. They even think I am arrogant, because I try to let people know that there are levels to everything. But, it could be a bit difficult because we are politicians and we need to be able to interface with people of any gender. They would come to us with their problems and we would try to solve them. But sometimes, some people want more than that. In such cases, the best bet is to communicate with them, and let them know where one draws the line, so everybody can know their place. So far so good, God has been helping me.
How do you unwind?
I play basketball regularly. The basketball court is the only place where I am still that young boy that never really lost anything. I feel it is important to have that kind of balance. One needs to have somewhere one can go and just be oneself. For me, basketball provides me that window.
How do you like to dress?
While I was working with the International Development Agency, I used to wear a lot of suits. When I was studying for my PhD and I came into government, there was an expectation that I should wear more of traditional attire, such as kaftan and babariga; and I did that.
Prior to that time, I used to wear babariga and kaftan only on Fridays, but when I came into government, it became like a norm, particularly because as a young person, one is already disadvantaged, with some people seeing one as a young person. I remember there was a time shortly after I got appointed that I was trying to be a regular young person, and I drove myself to the Ministry of Power. However, I was not allowed to enter, because they looked at me as a young person. On that day, I wore a suit and shirt. Even when I told them I was an executive director, they told me that there was no space, and I should go and park somewhere else.
But, the next time I went, I wore my kaftan and cap, and people were saluting me right from the entrance. I think that’s one of the things I miss about being in the private sector.
In the Nigerian public space, there is an expectation of how people of a certain status are supposed to dress. Because of my age, I could be wearing a suit and be going somewhere with one of my directors that is older but is a subordinate. If that person is wearing a babariga, the tendency is that when people see us, they would think the subordinate is the executive director, while they think I am the personal assistant.
So, I had to fit in, and I now wear more of Kaftan, with my cap.
What’s your favourite fashion accessory?
I am not an accessories person. I am very simple. I just wear my wrist watch, and that’s it. I used to have some traditional beads, but I got tired of them.
Even cars don’t interest me that much. I am a bit different in that regards.
I have had the watch I am wearing now for the last seven years. As a matter of fact, my wife has got tired of me using it. But, I see no reason for changing it.
In fact, I remember the first meeting I had with the former Managing Director of REA, Damilola Ogunbiyi. I was using an old phone and I did not have any problem with it, because I was using it to receive calls. But during our first meeting, I put the phone on the table, and when she saw it, she said I had to get a new phone. And that’s how I got a new phone.
