Advertisements
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has issued a formal apology to citizens over persistent electricity outages, amid renewed scrutiny of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pre-election pledge to deliver stable, round-the-clock power supply.
The apology follows weeks of widespread blackouts across several parts of the country, with households and businesses reporting prolonged disruptions. Ejes Gist News reports that the development has triggered fresh public debate over the Federal Government’s performance in the power sector since 2023.
Minister Apologises Over Nationwide Outages
Speaking during a press conference outlining his ministry’s performance, Adelabu acknowledged the severity of the situation and its impact on economic activities.
Advertisements
Also Read: Kwankwaso to Join ADC as Opposition Realignment Deepens
“I want to apologise to Nigerians… for this temporary issue that is leading to hardship being experienced, especially during this dry season,” the minister said.
Advertisements
He noted that:
- Businesses and industries have suffered operational setbacks
- Educational institutions have experienced disruptions
- Households are facing increased heat-related challenges due to outages
Adelabu described the situation as unintended, attributing it to structural and external constraints affecting electricity generation and distribution.
Gas Supply Crisis Identified as Key Cause
The minister linked the current power shortages to inadequate gas supply to generation companies, a longstanding issue in Nigeria’s electricity value chain.
According to him, key contributing factors include:
- Outstanding debts owed to gas suppliers
- Pipeline maintenance challenges
- Ageing infrastructure across the power sector
- Liquidity constraints within the electricity market
He added that global developments, including tensions in the Middle East, could further impact gas availability and pricing.
Nigeria’s power generation largely depends on gas-fired plants, making the sector vulnerable to fluctuations in gas supply and infrastructure disruptions.
Tinubu’s 24-Hour Power Promise Under Scrutiny
During the 2023 presidential campaign, President Tinubu publicly committed to delivering uninterrupted electricity supply, stating that Nigerians should not re-elect him if he failed to achieve that objective.
Recent outages have renewed public focus on that pledge, with citizens and analysts questioning the pace of reforms and execution within the sector.
Energy experts note that achieving stable 24-hour electricity requires coordinated improvements across:
- Generation capacity
- Transmission infrastructure
- Distribution efficiency
- Gas supply stability
Government Proposes Renewable Energy Expansion
In response to the ongoing challenges, Adelabu outlined plans to diversify Nigeria’s energy mix through increased adoption of renewable energy solutions.
He identified the following strategies:
- Expansion of off-grid and mini-grid systems
- Integration of utility-scale solar and hydro power
- Investment in grid monitoring and control technologies
- Strengthening system planning to manage supply variability
According to the minister, renewable energy offers a pathway to expand electricity access without placing additional strain on the national grid.
Political Reactions and Public Sentiment
The apology has generated reactions across political and public spheres, with some Nigerians expressing dissatisfaction over continued power instability.
The situation has also intensified scrutiny of broader government reforms in the energy sector, particularly as economic pressures linked to energy costs persist.
Adelabu Silent on 2027 Governorship Speculation
Beyond the power sector, Adelabu declined to confirm speculation regarding a potential bid for the Oyo State governorship in 2027.
The minister noted that he remains focused on his current responsibilities, while acknowledging a federal directive requiring political appointees with electoral ambitions to resign before a stipulated deadline.
He stated that he would make any future political decisions within the timeframe set by the administration.
