Adelabu’s ‘Ministry of Darkness’: Power Minister retains office amid 8th nationwide blackout in 2024

Nigeria’s power sector is in shambles, and at the helm of this chaos is Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.

Despite the country’s eighth national grid collapse in 2024, Adelabu remains in office, leaving many to wonder if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is serious about addressing the power crisis.

The latest grid collapse, attributed to faulty circuit transmission lines, has led Nigeria into darkness .

Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power

This is not an isolated incident; Nigeria has experienced at least four grid collapses in the past week alone.

The situation remains unresolved, with Kunle Olubiyo, President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, confirming the ongoing crisis.

Amidst this turmoil, Adelabu’s retention in the recent cabinet reshuffle raises questions about the president’s commitment to resolving the power crisis.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and student groups, including the National Association of Nigerian Students, have demanded Adelabu’s removal due to “policy inconsistencies” and the lack of significant progress in addressing frequent blackouts.

Experts in the power sector have voiced concerns over Adelabu’s handling of the crisis, citing his lack of experience in the field.

His background in finance and economics seems ill-suited to tackle the complex technical issues plaguing the power sector.

The consequences of Adelabu’s inaction are far-reaching. Businesses suffer, hospitals struggle to provide critical care, and citizens endure endless blackouts.

Nigeria’s economy bleeds, and its people suffer. Yet, Adelabu remains in office, seemingly impervious to the chaos around him.

President Tinubu’s decision to retain Adelabu has sparked outrage. Many view it as a betrayal of public trust.

The president’s inaction on the power crisis undermines his administration’s credibility and raises questions about his willingness to hold underperforming officials accountable.

Nigerians deserve better. They deserve a functional power sector, and they deserve leaders who will take decisive action to achieve it. Adelabu’s retention is an indicator that, for now, those expectations remain unmet.

The Ministry of Power has become the Ministry of Darkness, and Adelabu’s continued tenure is a testament to Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with ineffective leadership.

As the country continues grappling with power related challenges, one thing is clear: change is needed, and it’s needed now.

Under Adelabu’s watch, Nigeria’s power generation has plummeted to an all-time low of 900 megawatts, a far cry from the 7,000 megawatts promised by the Buhari administration in 2015.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has attributed the frequent grid collapses to inadequate funding, aging infrastructure, and lack of investment in the power sector.

With Adelabu at the helm, it’s no wonder that the sector remains in shambles.

The economic implications of Adelabu’s inaction are staggering. According to the Nigerian Manufacturers Association, the power crisis has resulted in an estimated loss of N1.05 trillion ($2.3 billion) in revenue for Nigerian businesses in the first quarter of 2024 alone.

Adelabu’s retention is a painful reminder of the administration’s failure to prioritize the nation’s interests above political loyalty.

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