Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has declared that he will take full responsibility if the persistent collapse of the national electricity grid continues, as pressure mounts on the Federal Government to resolve the country’s long-standing power supply challenges.
The minister made the statement while addressing growing public concern over repeated system failures that have left millions of households and businesses across the country in prolonged darkness. He acknowledged that the situation has become a major national concern and assured Nigerians that decisive action is being taken to stabilise the electricity network.
According to him, restoring stability to the national grid remains one of the most critical priorities of the administration, as the government works to reposition the power sector for improved performance. He stated that accountability rests squarely on his office and that he would not shift blame if the current challenges persist under his leadership.
“I take responsibility,” Adelabu said, while responding to questions on the recurring collapse of the national grid. He added that Nigerians are right to demand results and insisted that measurable progress must be achieved within a reasonable timeframe.
The national grid has suffered repeated failures in recent years, leading to widespread blackouts across the country. Each collapse typically disrupts electricity supply to large parts of Nigeria, affecting industrial production, small businesses, hospitals, and households. The instability has also increased reliance on alternative energy sources such as generators, significantly raising operational costs for businesses and deepening economic pressures.
Industry records show that the grid has experienced multiple collapses within short intervals, raising concerns about the resilience of Nigeria’s power infrastructure. Experts have attributed the frequent failures to a combination of aging transmission facilities, inadequate maintenance, weak system coordination, and limited investment in critical infrastructure.
The minister noted that addressing the recurring problem requires urgent and comprehensive reforms across all segments of the power sector, including generation, transmission, and distribution. He explained that while power generation has seen some improvements, the transmission network remains a major bottleneck preventing efficient delivery of electricity to end users.
He stressed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria must be strengthened to handle increased load capacity and ensure better system stability. According to him, without a reliable transmission backbone, improvements in generation capacity will not translate into stable electricity supply for consumers.
Adelabu also pointed to financial constraints within the sector as a major challenge. He explained that the electricity market is burdened by liquidity issues, with debts owed across the value chain affecting operations and limiting investment. These financial pressures, he said, have contributed to inefficiencies and hindered the ability of operators to maintain infrastructure effectively.
To address these challenges, the Federal Government is planning a series of reforms aimed at improving efficiency and attracting investment into the sector. These include strengthening regulatory oversight, enhancing transparency in operations, and creating a more commercially viable electricity market that can sustain long-term growth.
The minister further revealed that efforts are underway to expand the national metering programme in order to reduce estimated billing and improve revenue collection. He noted that accurate metering is essential for restoring trust between consumers and electricity distribution companies, as well as ensuring fair pricing within the system.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient as reforms are implemented, noting that the challenges in the power sector have accumulated over several decades and cannot be resolved overnight. However, he assured that the government is committed to delivering lasting solutions rather than temporary fixes.
Adelabu also called for cooperation from all stakeholders in the sector, including regulatory agencies, power generation companies, distribution companies, and consumers. He emphasized that stability in the electricity supply chain requires collective responsibility and strict adherence to operational standards.
Over the years, Nigeria’s power sector has remained one of the most problematic areas of public infrastructure, despite numerous reform initiatives. The country continues to struggle with inadequate electricity supply, often generating far below national demand, which experts estimate runs into tens of thousands of megawatts.
The persistent grid collapses have become a symbol of the sector’s fragility, highlighting deep-rooted structural issues that have not been fully resolved despite repeated government interventions. Analysts say that without significant investment in transmission infrastructure and improved governance, the problem may continue to recur.
The minister’s remarks come at a time when public frustration over electricity supply is particularly high, with many households and businesses expressing concern over rising costs and declining service reliability. In several parts of the country, prolonged outages have disrupted daily life and economic activity, further intensifying calls for urgent reform.
Adelabu maintained that his administration is committed to turning the sector around, adding that performance benchmarks will be used to track progress and ensure accountability. He stated that clear timelines have been set for improvements in grid stability and overall power delivery.
He also reiterated that his office will be held accountable for outcomes, reinforcing his earlier statement that he would take responsibility if the situation does not improve. According to him, leadership in the power sector must be measured by results, not promises.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with its electricity challenges, attention now turns to the implementation of the promised reforms and the ability of the government to deliver a more stable and reliable power supply system for the country’s growing population and economy.
