Epileptic power supply crippling Nigeria’s economy as pressure mounts on Adelabu

Persistent power outages across Nigeria are increasingly taking a heavy toll on businesses, households and the broader economy, with many citizens expressing frustration over what they describe as worsening electricity supply despite huge government spending on the sector.

Across the country, artisans, small businesses and industries say unreliable electricity has significantly increased the cost of production, forcing many to rely on expensive alternatives such as generators and solar power.

The ripple effect has pushed up the prices of goods and services, as producers pass the rising costs to consumers already grappling with economic hardship.

Many households have also been affected, with residents complaining that food and other perishables often spoil due to prolonged blackouts. For families that cannot afford generators or the rising cost of fuel, domestic activities have become more difficult.

The situation has also heightened tensions between electricity consumers and distribution companies, particularly over estimated billing. In some areas, electricity workers have reportedly faced hostility and attacks from angry customers who accuse power companies of charging high tariffs despite erratic supply.

The worsening electricity situation has triggered renewed criticism of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who assumed office in 2023 under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

When he took office, Adelabu had pledged to improve electricity generation and supply across the country. He promised that initiatives such as the Presidential Power Initiative, renewable energy projects and the “Light Up Nigeria” programme would reduce grid disruptions and boost electricity access.

He also expressed optimism that the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023 would open the sector to greater private sector participation and encourage collaboration between federal and state governments.

However, three years later, many Nigerians say the expected improvements have yet to materialise.

The criticism has intensified partly because the power sector continues to receive large allocations in the federal budget.

In 2023, the Ministry of Power received about ₦239.5 billion, with funding directed toward projects such as the Zungeru and Kashimbila hydroelectric plants and the Afam power project.

The following year, the ministry’s allocation increased to about ₦344 billion, with major funding earmarked for the Presidential Power Initiative, rural electrification programmes and transmission infrastructure managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

In 2025, the ministry’s budget rose significantly to about ₦2.1 trillion, while in 2026 it received an allocation of about ₦1.1 trillion, placing it among the top ministerial allocations.

Despite these expenditures, electricity supply has remained inconsistent in many parts of the country, raising questions among citizens about how the funds are being utilised.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) recently added to the controversy by alleging irregularities in procurement processes within the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

In a petition addressed to the Minister of Power and copied to the Presidency, the labour union raised concerns about contracts worth nearly ₦20 billion allegedly planned under the guise of emergency refurbishment.

The union called for a forensic audit of the contracts and urged anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate the transactions.

According to the NLC, some of the proposed contracts involved unusually high costs for projects such as erosion control on transmission towers, substation fencing and other infrastructure works.

NLC President Joe Ajaero warned that if the alleged irregularities were not investigated, they could weaken the country’s electricity transmission infrastructure.

Despite the allegations, the ministry has yet to issue a formal response to the petition.

Adelabu himself has previously acknowledged structural problems in Nigeria’s power sector. Speaking at a corporate governance forum organised by the Ministry of Finance and the World Bank, he said weak governance structures in government-owned power plants were limiting performance.

He noted that some government-owned generation plants operated by the Niger Delta Power Company were producing only between 500 and 800 megawatts despite having an installed capacity of about 4,000 megawatts.

According to him, poor corporate governance and systemic inefficiencies have prevented the plants from operating above 20 per cent of their installed capacity.

Adelabu also highlighted ongoing reforms, including the restructuring of the Transmission Company of Nigeria into two separate entities – the Nigeria Independent System Operator and the Transmission Service Provider – under the Electricity Act of 2023.

However, critics argue that the minister has not done enough to address the problems he identified.

The debate around his performance has also spilled into politics in Oyo State, where Adelabu is widely believed to be preparing to contest the governorship election.

Political observers say his record as Minister of Power has become a key issue in discussions about his governorship ambition.

While he remains one of the prominent figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state, some residents and political commentators have expressed doubts about his chances, citing the ongoing power crisis.

Nevertheless, Adelabu’s supporters insist that many of the problems in the sector predate his tenure and require long-term structural reforms rather than quick fixes.

His media aide, Bolaji Tunji, recently defended the minister, saying criticisms of Adelabu often ignore broader structural challenges affecting electricity generation.

According to him, the power shortages currently being experienced in parts of the country are partly due to gas supply constraints affecting generating companies.

He also noted that capital releases for projects had been limited in recent budgets, affecting the pace of infrastructure development across ministries.

Despite the defence, the electricity crisis continues to generate intense public debate, with many Nigerians insisting that stable power supply remains critical to economic growth and national development.