FG Apologises Over Nationwide Blackouts, Promises Improvement Within Two Weeks

FG Apologises Over Nationwide Blackouts, Promises Improvement Within Two Weeks

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has issued a public apology to Nigerians over the prolonged and severe electricity outages affecting various parts of the country, acknowledging the hardship faced by households, businesses, and critical sectors of the economy.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Adelabu admitted that the ongoing poor power supply has worsened living conditions, especially during the intense dry-season heat. He noted that the situation has disrupted daily activities across schools, industries, and commercial centres nationwide.

“I want to apologise to Nigerians… for this temporary issue that is leading to hardship being experienced,” the minister said, explaining that the challenges were due to factors largely beyond the immediate control of the government.

Adelabu attributed the electricity shortages largely to disruptions in gas supply to thermal power plants, which form the backbone of Nigeria’s power generation system. He also pointed to ongoing maintenance of gas pipelines and operational challenges affecting supply to generation companies. Nigeria relies heavily on gas-fired plants for electricity production, making the sector vulnerable to fluctuations in gas availability. According to the minister, repairs are currently ongoing on critical gas infrastructure, including facilities linked to operators such as Seplat Energy.

The minister further explained that the government has established a committee to monitor compliance with domestic gas supply obligations, ensuring that producers prioritise electricity generation needs. He added that improved coordination with gas suppliers is essential to restoring consistent supply to power plants and stabilising the national grid.

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Adelabu assured Nigerians that the situation would begin to improve within a short timeframe, citing coordinated interventions by the government and stakeholders in the energy sector. He stated that with the committee in place and commitments from gas suppliers, the country should begin to see noticeable improvements in electricity supply within two weeks.

He explained that the government is working closely with gas producers, regulators, and power generation companies to stabilise supply and restore more consistent electricity delivery across the national grid.

The minister acknowledged that Nigeria’s power sector challenges extend beyond gas supply, highlighting structural issues across generation, transmission, and distribution. These include ageing infrastructure, financial constraints, and inefficiencies within distribution networks that continue to affect overall performance.

Despite these challenges, Adelabu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforms aimed at improving electricity reliability. He said efforts are ongoing to increase power generation capacity, strengthen the transmission network, and enhance distribution efficiency across the country.

“We are working on it 24/7… Power generation will improve, transmission will improve, distribution will improve,” he said, describing the current situation as a temporary setback within a broader reform agenda.

The persistent blackouts in Nigeria have forced many businesses to rely on costly alternatives such as generators and solar systems, increasing operational expenses and affecting productivity. Households have also been impacted, with many struggling to cope with inconsistent grid supply.

Adelabu acknowledged these difficulties and assured citizens that the current crisis is being treated as a priority. He expressed confidence that ongoing interventions across the gas supply chain, transmission upgrades, and regulatory improvements will gradually restore stability to the power sector in the coming weeks.

FG Apologises Over Nationwide Blackouts, Promises Improvement Within Two Weeks