Power minister’s apology

ON Tuesday, March 24, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, issued a public apology to Nigerians over the worsening nationwide electricity outages. Speaking in Abuja, Adelabu acknowledged the severe hardship caused by persistent blackouts, particularly during the dry season heat, and outlined a set of immediate and medium-term measures aimed at restoring supply.

The apology is notable. But it is also revealing. In a sector as critical as electricity, an apology is not merely an expression of regret—it is an admission that outcomes have fallen short. The question, however, is whether the response that follows rises to the scale of the problem. The minister has proposed a two-track plan. In the immediate term, he assured Nigerians of noticeable improvements within 14 days, backed by certain measures, including the establishment of a Gas Supply Monitoring Committee, accelerated repair of key pipelines, particularly those linked to Seplat Energy, and reforms to payment structures aimed at incentivising gas producers. In the medium term, he reaffirmed the resolve to achieve 6,000 megawatts of available power by December 2026, supported by grid rehabilitation, continued implementation of the Siemens-backed Presidential Power Initiative, decentralisation of electricity markets to states under the Electricity Act, and stricter enforcement against underperforming distribution companies.

These commitments are not new in substance, even if renewed in urgency. What Nigerians require is not a catalogue of intentions, but evidence of execution. The fundamental challenge remains structural. Nigeria’s electricity system continues to operate under a fragmented value chain, persistent liquidity constraints, weak transmission infrastructure, and misaligned incentives across generation, transmission and distribution. Addressing gas supply alone will not resolve transmission bottlenecks. Strengthening transmission without fixing distribution inefficiencies will not translate into reliable supply at the consumer level. The system fails not because of a single constraint, but because of the interaction of many. It is therefore worrisome that while supply has remained unstable, distribution companies have recorded increased earnings. This disconnect between financial performance and service delivery reflects a deeper governance problem: performance is not sufficiently tied to outcomes that matter to citizens.

The minister’s 14-day improvement pledge and the December 2026 target of 6,000 megawatts now provide a clear basis for public accountability. These timelines must not become moving targets; they must be treated as measurable commitments against which performance can be objectively assessed. What is required at this stage is a transparent performance framework for the power sector, anchored on actual electricity delivered to consumers, not projected capacity; frequency and duration of outages across regions, transmission stability and reduction in grid disturbances; metering coverage and revenue collection efficiency; and compliance of generation companies, gas suppliers, and distribution companies with clearly defined obligations. Such metrics should be published regularly and independently verified.

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Public confidence cannot be sustained on assurances alone. It is also important to recognise that the challenges in the power sector predate the current administration. Successive ministers of power have confronted similar constraints with limited progress. This continuity of underperformance points to a systemic failure. Yet, systemic problems demand stronger leadership, not lower expectations. The promise of 6,000 megawatts by December 2026 will therefore be closely watched. Nigerians will not measure success by policy announcements, but by lived experience: whether homes receive stable power, businesses reduce reliance on generators, and industries operate competitively.

Electricity is not a peripheral service; it is the backbone of modern economic life. No country industrialises in darkness, and no reform agenda can succeed where power supply remains unreliable. An apology acknowledges failure. But it does not, by itself, constitute reform. What Nigerians require now is not contrition, but correction—grounded in structure, discipline, and measurable performance. Nigeria must move beyond cycles of promise and disappointment toward a power system that works—consistently, reliably, and at scale.