Published 7th Jun, 2025

By Tola Owoyele

On Friday, Adebayo Adelabu, the minister of power, said the Bola Tinubu administration was already fixing the foundational structural issues that had bedevilled Nigeria’s power sector for years.

Adelabu further stated that in the next few years, the sector would deliver far more improved service, which would see power supply serving every Nigerian home, household, business, institution and industry.

“Let me say that the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. Rome was not built in a day. And for you to build a solid building, there must be a very solid and reliable foundation. The power sector had some serious foundational structural issues, which we have been able to correct with this administration,” Adelabu claimed, while addressing journalists after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at Agodi Prayer Ground, Ibadan, Oyo State.

“The little improvement that you have seen is just a tip of the iceberg. You still witness major improvement in power supply.”

Adelabu added that the Tinubu administration would light up the entire country soon.

Interestingly, Adelabu had made similar promises in the past.

PROMISE OF REMARKABLE POWER SUPPLY BY END OF 2024

In 2024, the power minister made a similar statement while on a working tour of Calabar Generation Company, a subsidiary of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).

During the tour, Adelabu assured Nigerians that before the end of 2024, there would be a remarkable improvement in power supply in Nigeria.

“We have witnessed an increase in power generation in the last few months. We have hit 5,105 megawatts, which is the highest in the past years. The federal government is targeting 6,000 MW by the end of 2024,” said Adelabu at the time.

“And what I can promise Nigerians again is that we are still scratching the surface; by the time we take the giant steps that are expected of us, you will see even more improvement in power supply under President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, in his agenda to use power to drive every other critical sector of the economy.

“More improvement will be witnessed next year by consumers. We are doing everything humanly possible to enhance the state of transmission.

“While the DisCos, distribution companies, are also raising their game, their own infrastructures, such as the 33kVA lines, all the duty transformers, we are still scratching the surface.”

PROMISE OF POWER SUPPLY IMPROVEMENT IN 2023

In a similar fashion, the minister also promised improved power supply in 2023.

“I want to say that between six months and one year, we will start seeing improvement in the power sector,” stated Adelabu at the time.

“Within the next six months, there would be major additions to the national grid in terms of hydropower plants. That is the Zugeru 700MW in Niger State, which is about to be completed. This will be the biggest one in sub-Saharan Africa when completed.

“The Kainji Dam that we all grew up to know supplies about 460MW, Shiroro Dam supplies about 520MW. I will do everything to ensure that Zugeru Power Plant is inaugurated and subsequently add 700MW to the national grid.”

POOR POWER SUPPLY STILL PERSISTS

Despite Adelabu’s many promises of improved power supply, Nigerians have continued to complain of a lack of it.

Companies that once provided jobs and boosted the economy are also shutting down as a result of the high cost of fuelling generators to stay in business.

Artisans like barbers, radio repairers and hairdressers now also find it difficult to run their businesses as they continue to grapple with consistent blackouts and the soaring cost of petrol for their generators.

Apart from the decrease in power supply, consumers have also been complaining about the relentless hike in tariffs.

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