Due to ongoing blackouts in various Nigerian states, there are growing demands directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to dismiss Adebayo Adelabu from his position as minister of power.
In the last four months, the electricity supply has been inconsistent, with generation varying between 2,000 and 4,000 megawatts—well below what is required for a population of over 250 million. On March 29, 2026, electricity distribution companies were allocated only 2,855 megawatts, underscoring the magnitude of the deficit.
Electricity distribution companies (Discos) have linked the situation to decreased generation, whereas generation companies (Gencos) point to gas supply issues related to rising debts that are said to surpass N4 trillion.
Due to the crisis, households and businesses across the country are grappling with an unreliable power supply.
In the wake of a public outcry, Adelabu offered a recent apology to Nigerians and admitted to the difficulties faced by the sector.
In the meantime, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the All Progressives Congress convention, stated that establishing the Grid Asset Management Company (GAMCO) could potentially resolve financial and structural problems in the sector.
“Many of you are lamenting the problem of electricity; we are paying attention to it. The GAMCO will inject 150,000 MW into the electricity corridors,” he said.
Nonetheless, a lot of Nigerians contend that apologies and policy proposals are inadequate at this point, calling for immediate and concrete advancements.
Demands for Adelabu to resign grow stronger
Eze Onyekpere, who is the lead director of the Centre for Social Justice, spoke to ZINGTIE and urged for Adelabu to be removed immediately, as he deemed Adelabu’s performance disappointing.
Onyekpere condemned the minister for being directionless and uncreative, asserting that his ongoing tenure provides no benefit to the sector.
He reminded President Tinubu of his campaign commitment to enhance electricity supply.
He stated that the current realities in the power sector do not meet expectations and emphasized that leadership in such a crucial sector demands a clear vision and decisive action.
He asserted that Adelabu should either step down or be removed from his position, stressing that more significant reforms and capable leadership are ultimately more crucial than just a change in personnel.
“He (President Tinubu) told us that if he doesn’t revive electricity sector, we should not vote for him for a second time.
“The minister (Adelabu) is a failure. And the unfortunate thing is that he wants to go and govern. He has no agenda for the power sector.
“He should either resign or get sacked.
“He’s got no ideas. No innovation,” Onyekpere said.
Failure in governance, not incompetence at the ministerial level — Prof. Wumi
Conversely, Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics Wumi Iledare contended in an interview that systemic governance failures, not the minister’s competence, are at the heart of the crisis.
Iledare contended that attributing fault to Adelabu would not resolve the foundational structural problems afflicting the sector.
He stated, “The problem of the power sector in Nigeria, in my opinion, is governance, not the competence of the minister of power.”
He asserted that the federal government is accountable for the current challenges and should reconsider the original framework of power sector privatization.
“The government is at fault, and they have to go back and re-establish the original privatization scheme that was put in place,” he said.
”The energy expert expressed concern that similar policy missteps could spill into the oil and gas industry if not urgently addressed.”
“I’m actually worried that the oil and gas sector may end up the way the power sector ended up.
“Some of the things the government is doing are not properly put in the posterity mode,” he warned.
Iledare went on to criticize the very basis of the privatization process, asserting that it was intended to produce affluent individuals rather than competent investors.
“The privatization of the power sector was based on creating millionaires, not businessmen and businesswomen,” he stated.
He stated, “The privatization of the power sector was based on creating millionaires, not businessmen and businesswomen,” and noted that inadequate metering and accountability demonstrate a lack of commitment from investors.
Answer to power sector riddle
Iledare proposed decentralizing the electricity market into regional systems as a solution, emphasizing collaboration among states instead of isolation.
He urged for the establishment of stronger institutional frameworks and improved coordination within the Ministry of Power.
He acknowledged that some agencies have made limited progress, but emphasized that lasting reform relies on strengthening institutions rather than concentrating on individuals.
“What we had in mind when we were calling for decentralization is a regional market — a coming together of states, not necessarily standing alone.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean that the minister has to resign to address the issue. It wouldn’t make any difference.
“The professionals in the ministry, in my opinion, are to be blamed. The minister has to coordinate them. There is just a misunderstanding between institutional power and individual power.
“It’s the ministry of power that they should be calling, not the minister in charge,” he told ZINGTIE.
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