Power Minister Apologises for Blackouts, Promises Supply Boost Within Two Weeks

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has issued a public apology over the prolonged and widespread electricity outages recorded in recent weeks, acknowledging the strain they have placed on households, businesses, schools and industries during the intense dry-season heat.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Adelabu admitted that the situation has worsened living and operating conditions, as rising temperatures continue to drive up electricity demand nationwide.

“I want to officially apologise to Nigerians for this temporary challenge that has caused significant hardship, especially during this period of extreme heat,” he said. “Businesses, schools and industries have all been affected. This is not a situation we desired, but it stems from factors largely beyond our control.”

Despite the disruptions, the minister expressed confidence that the situation would soon improve, projecting a turnaround within 14 days.

“With the work of the committee we have set up, commitments from gas suppliers, and ongoing repairs of critical gas pipelines, we expect to begin seeing noticeable improvements in power supply within two weeks,” Adelabu stated.

He disclosed that authorities are closely monitoring repair timelines, particularly those involving facilities operated by Seplat Energy, which are crucial to restoring gas flow to power plants.

Adelabu further revealed that a dedicated committee has been tasked with ensuring compliance by gas producers with domestic supply obligations—a longstanding challenge that has limited electricity generation.

According to him, improved payment mechanisms to gas suppliers are also being pursued to encourage steady supply to power plants.

The minister noted that the sector’s heavy reliance on gas-fired generation has made it vulnerable to supply disruptions, compounded by pipeline maintenance issues and funding constraints. While acknowledging these structural challenges, he assured that efforts are ongoing to stabilise the grid.

“We are working round the clock to return to the progress recorded in 2025, when our performance was widely commended,” he added.

Reaffirming the government’s long-term targets, Adelabu said plans remain on track to increase generation capacity to 6,000 megawatts by the end of 2026, describing the current crisis as a temporary setback in a broader reform agenda.