The Federal Government is laying the groundwork for a stable, reliable, and effective electricity supply across Nigeria, according to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to reforming the power sector.
Adelabu revealed this during a visit from a World Bank delegation at his office in Abuja earlier this week. A statement released on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media Relations and Strategic Communications, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, outlined the conversations.
According to Adelabu, the power sector remains a top priority for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has extended unwavering support to initiatives aimed at transforming the industry.
“The issue of the power sector is of the utmost concern to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and he has given total support to all efforts at making the sector work,” the Minister stated.
He attributed the current challenges in the sector to years of neglect by past administrations, noting that substantial improvements have occurred since President Tinubu assumed office.
“I want to thank you for the support, for the interest you have shown in the development of Nigeria’s power sector. It’s been of immense value to us. And I can imagine, without the World Bank, how the sector would have looked,” he said to the World Bank team.
“We’ve seen your transmission support, we’ve seen your distribution support, and we have seen your support in renewable energy almost in every facet, even in generation.”
Adelabu reiterated that the power sector is a critical enabler of national development.
“One thing that this administration has brought to the table is the seriousness, the determination, the commitment to make sure that the power sector is transformed,” he said.
“That’s why it’s good to have a practical businessman, a practical finance person, and a politician at the helm of affairs, like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“He fully understands what it takes for the transformation of a country. And he believes that energy is the foundation to transform all other sectors,” Adelabu noted.
“There’s very little you can achieve in your agriculture sector, in your transportation sector, in your defence, education, and health, without a stable and efficient electricity supply.”
Reflecting on past shortcomings, Adelabu remarked, “We actually have a past that we are not proud of. Over the years, we have only been paying lip service to transforming the power sector. We have not worked on the talk.”
He criticised the lack of maintenance of power infrastructure, outdated equipment, and rampant vandalism as key obstacles to a stable power supply.
“How do we allow our people to vandalise infrastructure and expect stable electricity? So, how do you have a sector with over 12 million customers, and our meter is not more than six million, and we expect to have a stable industry? No, it’s not possible,” he said.
Adelabu compared past and present performance in power generation, stating:
“In 1984, we achieved 2,000 megawatts. Between 1984 and 2023, it took us 40 years to add another 2,000 megawatts. Now we have an average of 5,800 megawatts of generation within one and a half years since we came into office.”
He also referenced the Siemens power deal signed in 2019, lamenting the lack of progress until 2023.
“We entered into a Siemens contract in 2019. We never lifted a finger until 2023, when this government came on board. Even in this Siemens project, the pilot phase is almost completed, and that is in less than two years,” he said.
Adelabu concluded with optimism, asserting that the Tinubu administration is laying a strong foundation for sustained progress in Nigeria’s power sector.
