The Federal Government has apologised to Nigerians for the persistent power outages, assuring that efforts are underway to stabilise electricity supply across the country in the coming days.
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made the announcement on Tuesday during a press briefing highlighting his achievements over the past three years.
“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, where there is so much heat,” Adelabu said.
He noted the impact on businesses, schools, and industries, stressing that the situation is not by design but due to factors largely beyond the government’s control.
The minister attributed the current electricity challenges to gas supply shortfalls to generation companies, linked to the huge debts owed to gas suppliers. He also warned that ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could exacerbate the problem.
“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.
Adelabu further called for a shift towards renewable energy solutions, particularly off-grid and mini-grid systems, as a cost-effective way to expand electricity access without overburdening the national grid.
“Integrating utility-scale solar, hydro, and other renewables will enhance energy security, diversify energy sources, and support our climate objectives,” he said.
The minister emphasised that these efforts would require significant investment in grid monitoring, control systems, and careful system planning to manage intermittency while maintaining stability.
On a separate note, observers have speculated that Adelabu may be considering a run for the Oyo State governorship in 2027. While he did not confirm his political ambitions, he noted that federal appointees have until March 31 to resign if they intend to contest elections, and he still has some days before making a final decision.
“Whether at the national or subnational level, my goal is to serve,” he stated.
