Nigerians Blast Power Minister Adelabu as Two-Week Electricity Promise Fails

Nigerians Blast Power Minister Adelabu as Two-Week Electricity Promise Fails

Anger is mounting across Nigeria as citizens continue to experience widespread electricity blackouts despite assurances by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, that improvements in power supply would begin within two weeks.

The latest public frustration comes as a nationwide review shows little to no improvement in grid stability, with many households and businesses still battling erratic supply, prolonged outages, and inconsistent voltage across major cities including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and several other states.

The situation has been further complicated by reports that President Bola Tinubu approved ₦3.3 trillion for the settlement of outstanding debts in Nigeria’s power sector, a policy move aimed at stabilising the industry. While some energy analysts believe the intervention could support long-term reforms, others argue that similar announcements in the past have not translated into immediate relief for consumers.

On March 24, Adelabu publicly apologised for the nationwide power disruptions, attributing the crisis to gas supply shortages, transmission constraints, and technical faults within the electricity value chain. At the time, he assured Nigerians that “within two weeks, improvements in supply should begin.”

However, with the deadline now expired, many citizens say the promise has not been fulfilled, and in some areas, conditions have worsened.

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Residents across the country report that electricity supply remains highly unstable, with frequent blackouts lasting hours or even days, interrupted only by brief and unreliable restoration periods.

In Abuja’s Utako district, residents described persistent outages and unbearable heat conditions, with some accusing distribution companies of poor service delivery despite regular billing.

In Lagos, consumers questioned the fairness of the Band A electricity tariff system, which is supposed to guarantee up to 20–24 hours of supply but often fails to meet expectations in practice.

Across other states, similar complaints dominate public discourse. In Delta State, residents described electricity supply as unreliable and frustrating, while in Ondo State, some communities said stable power has become almost non-existent. In Imo State, parts of Owerri reportedly endured weeks of near-total blackout.

In Edo State, residents said outages sometimes stretch for days, particularly after rainfall, while in Ogun and Ekiti states, citizens reported prolonged power cuts despite continued billing from electricity distribution companies.

Many Nigerians say the recurring pattern of promises and poor delivery has left them frustrated and financially strained, especially as they rely heavily on alternative power sources such as generators, inverters, and solar systems, which significantly increase living and business costs.

The crisis has once again highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing electricity supply challenges, including weak transmission infrastructure, insufficient generation capacity, gas supply constraints, and commercial inefficiencies within the power sector.

Despite reforms and privatisation efforts, national electricity generation remains around 4,000 megawatts, far below the level required for a population of over 200 million people. Energy data from international organisations such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) also shows that Nigeria’s per capita electricity consumption remains among the lowest globally.

As frustration grows, citizens continue to demand accountability, transparency, and realistic timelines from government officials rather than short-term assurances that fail to reflect ground realities.

For many Nigerians, the question remains unchanged and increasingly urgent: where is the light?

Nigerians Blast Power Minister Adelabu as Two-Week Electricity Promise Fails