• Blames gas supply crisis, Middle East tensions
• Adelabu pushes renewable energy as long-term solution
The Federal Government has apologised to Nigerians over the recent wave of power outages, assuring citizens that improvements will be felt across the country in the coming days.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made the apology on Tuesday during a press conference highlighting his achievements over the past three years in office.
“I want to apologise to Nigerians, officially now, coming from me as the Minister of Power, for this temporary issue that is leading to hardship being experienced, especially during this dry season, where there is so much heat everywhere,” he said.
Adelabu acknowledged the widespread impact of the outages, noting that businesses, schools, and industries have all been adversely affected.
“It is not our wish to find ourselves in this situation, but it is due to some factors that are actually beyond our control,” he added.
Gas Shortfall, Debt Burden Behind Crisis
The minister attributed the current power challenges to a shortage in gas supply to generation companies, largely driven by outstanding debts owed to gas suppliers.
He further warned that ongoing tensions linked to the Middle East could exacerbate the situation.
Nigeria’s power sector is heavily dependent on gas-fired plants, which have long struggled with disruptions caused by inadequate gas supply, pipeline maintenance issues, ageing infrastructure, and persistent liquidity constraints.
According to Adelabu, these challenges have significantly reduced the efficiency of power generation across the country.
“These issues collectively impact both the quantity and quality of gas delivered to power plants, leading to underutilisation of installed generation capacity, increased outages, and inefficiencies in power production,” he explained.
Renewable Energy as Way Forward
To address the recurring crisis, the minister emphasised the need to scale up renewable energy solutions, particularly off-grid and mini-grid systems.
“Renewable energy offers a cost-effective and sustainable pathway to expand access without overburdening the national grid,” he said.
He also advocated for integrating more renewable sources such as solar and hydro into the national grid to diversify energy supply and reduce reliance on gas.
“Integrating utility-scale solar, hydro, and other renewables will enhance energy security and support climate objectives,” Adelabu noted.
Silent on 2027 Governorship Ambition
On the political front, Adelabu declined to confirm speculation about his potential bid for the Oyo State governorship in 2027.
The development comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all political appointees with electoral ambitions to resign by March 31.
While acknowledging the directive, the minister said he still has time before the deadline and reiterated his commitment to public service at both national and subnational levels.
“I still have some days to decide, but whichever way, I remain committed to serving the people,” he said.
