Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has issued a public apology to citizens following widespread electricity outages that have disrupted daily life across the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Adelabu acknowledged the severe impact of the power disruptions, noting that homes, businesses, schools, and industries have all been affected—especially amid the intense heat of the dry season.
He admitted that the situation has caused significant hardship and expressed regret over the inconvenience. According to him, while the government did not anticipate the crisis, several contributing factors were beyond its direct control.
The minister, however, assured Nigerians that efforts are underway to resolve the problem. He stated that improvements in electricity supply are expected within two weeks, citing ongoing repairs to gas pipelines and renewed commitments from gas suppliers.
Adelabu explained that the government is closely monitoring progress, particularly repairs linked to key energy operators, which are expected to restore gas supply to power plants. He also revealed that a special committee has been set up to ensure gas companies meet their domestic supply obligations—an issue that has long affected electricity generation.
In addition, he noted that better financial arrangements for gas suppliers would help encourage more consistent supply.
The minister attributed the current crisis largely to disruptions in gas supply, pipeline maintenance challenges, and financial constraints within the power sector. Despite these setbacks, he emphasized that the government is working continuously to stabilise the system.
Adelabu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s target to increase electricity generation to 6,000 megawatts before the end of 2026. He described the current outages as a temporary setback and expressed confidence that the sector would soon improve beyond previous performance levels.
Nigeria’s electricity sector has historically struggled with issues such as inadequate gas supply, ageing infrastructure, transmission limitations, and funding challenges—factors that continue to hinder reliable power delivery.
