The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has apologised to Nigerians for the prolonged electricity outages affecting households, businesses, schools, and industries in recent weeks. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, he acknowledged the strain the blackouts have caused, particularly during the intense dry-season heat.
“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, especially during this dry season,” Adelabu said, noting that the disruptions are partly due to factors beyond the government’s control.
Despite the current challenges, the minister assured citizens that improvements are on the way. He revealed that a dedicated committee has been set up to ensure gas suppliers meet domestic supply obligations to power plants, and repair work on critical pipelines is underway. “With the committee we have set up, commitments from gas suppliers, and the timeline for pipeline repairs, we should start seeing improvements in supply within two weeks,” he stated.
Adelabu highlighted that Nigeria’s electricity sector, heavily reliant on gas-powered plants, has faced setbacks from supply interruptions, maintenance issues, and financial constraints affecting operators. The minister emphasised that the government is actively addressing these systemic challenges to stabilise the grid.
“We are working on it 24/7 to return to the trajectory of 2025, when Nigerians commended us for good service,” he said, reaffirming the Federal Government’s target to raise electricity output to 6,000 megawatts before the end of 2026. He described the ongoing crisis as a temporary setback within a broader reform plan.
Adelabu further assured that improvements will extend across generation, transmission, and distribution, aiming not only to recover lost ground but to surpass previous performance levels. “If we could provide such service in 2025, this is 2026, and we are determined to do even better,” he added.
The minister’s comments underscore the government’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s power supply challenges while providing a clear timeline for expected improvements.
