Nigeria's Power Minister Issues Public Apology Over Prolonged Electricity Blackouts
Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu has formally apologized to Nigerians for the extensive electricity outages that have disrupted daily life across the country. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Adelabu acknowledged the severe strain placed on households, businesses, and industries during the peak of the dry season, when rising temperatures have driven up electricity demand.
Minister Outlines Causes and Timeline for Relief
Adelabu described the situation as deeply regrettable, emphasizing that the government is fully aware of the hardship being experienced. He attributed the blackouts to factors beyond immediate control, primarily involving damaged gas infrastructure and supply constraints. However, he provided a clear timeline for improvement, stating that repairs to gas pipelines and renewed commitments from suppliers should lead to noticeable enhancements in power availability within two weeks.
"I can tell you, with the committee that we have set up, and commitments from gas suppliers, and the timeline for repair of the gas pipelines, two weeks from now, we should start seeing improvements in supply. Two weeks," Adelabu declared confidently.
Government Initiatives to Tackle Gas Supply Issues
To address recurring gas supply problems, federal authorities have established a special monitoring committee. This committee is tasked with enforcing domestic gas supply obligations to power plants, a critical step in stabilizing electricity generation. Adelabu highlighted that stronger payment flows to gas producers are being implemented to encourage consistent supply, addressing liquidity constraints that have historically plagued the sector.
He explained that Nigeria's heavy reliance on gas-fired generation has made the power sector vulnerable to pipeline maintenance issues. Adelabu assured the public that work is ongoing around the clock to restore stability, aiming to return to the performance levels of 2025, which received positive feedback from citizens.
Broader Goals and Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Adelabu reaffirmed the federal government's target of increasing electricity generation to 6,000 megawatts by the end of 2026. He characterized the current outages as a temporary setback rather than a reversal of progress, expressing confidence in achieving this goal. "Power generation will improve, transmission will improve, distribution will improve, and that 6,000 megawatts will be achieved before the end of this year, and Nigerians will be better for it," he stated.
The minister also emphasized the administration's commitment to not only recovering lost ground but delivering stronger performance than in previous years, underscoring a long-term vision for a more reliable power supply across Nigeria.
