ABUJA — Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has issued a formal apology to Nigerians for the relentless electricity outages that have paralyzed homes and businesses across the country. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the Minister acknowledged the “hardship and strain” caused by the blackouts, particularly as citizens grapple with the intense dry-season heat.
Adelabu attributed the severe decline in power supply to a critical shortage of gas to thermal power plants. Current data shows that these plants, which provide the backbone of Nigeria’s electricity, are receiving less than 43 percent of the gas volumes they need to operate, dragging the total grid generation to dangerously low levels.
To address the crisis, the Minister has set a two-week timeline for visible improvements in the national power supply. He explained that the recovery hinges on the ongoing repair of vital gas pipelines and fresh commitments from suppliers to resume deliveries. The government has also approved ₦185 billion to begin clearing a massive ₦3.3 trillion debt owed to generation companies, which has been a major sticking point for gas suppliers.
Beyond the gas shortage, Adelabu noted that the vandalism of the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line has plunged the Northern region into darkness. While security threats initially stalled repair efforts, he assured the public that power to the North is expected to be restored by this coming weekend.
Despite the current system failures, including a total grid collapse earlier this January, the Ministry maintains a target of hitting 6,000 megawatts by the end of 2026. For now, however, the Minister is pleading for patience as the government struggles to stabilize a grid that has left millions in the dark.
