Nigeria’s power sector has long been plagued by instability and inadequacy, a predicament that the current Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, attributes to the shortcomings of past administrations. He argues that successive governments, both military and civilian, have perpetuated a cycle of ineffective policies and neglected crucial infrastructure development, leading to the persistent power challenges the nation faces today. This stagnation, he claims, is evident in the minimal increase in power generation capacity over several decades, with a mere 2,000MW added between 1984 and 2023, a period spanning almost 40 years. Adelabu contrasts this with the progress made under the current administration, which he says has achieved a significant increase in generation capacity within a much shorter timeframe. He contends that this demonstrates a renewed commitment to addressing the root causes of the power crisis.
Central to Adelabu’s critique is the accusation of a lack of sustained investment in critical infrastructure. He highlights the dilapidated state of the transmission network, characterized by thousands of kilometers of neglected power lines and transformers, as a major contributor to the sector’s woes. This neglect, he argues, has rendered the system vulnerable to breakdowns and inefficiencies, hindering the reliable delivery of electricity to consumers. Furthermore, he points to the widespread vandalism of power infrastructure and the persistent metering gap, with only about half of the estimated 12 million customers metered, as further evidence of past failures to implement effective strategies for sector development. These shortcomings, Adelabu asserts, have created a vicious cycle of instability and underperformance, undermining efforts to provide reliable power supply.
Adelabu specifically criticizes the previous administration for its alleged inaction on the Siemens contract, a key agreement designed to enhance the power sector. He claims that the contract, signed in 2019, remained largely dormant until the current administration took office in 2023. He contrasts this alleged inertia with the swift progress made under the current government, highlighting the near completion of the pilot phase of the Siemens project as a testament to its commitment. This renewed focus on implementing critical projects, he suggests, is a key differentiator between the current administration and its predecessors.
The minister underscores the current administration’s commitment to laying a “solid foundation” for a stable and reliable power sector. This commitment, he says, involves not merely replicating past approaches, but rather adopting a fundamentally different strategy. He emphasizes the importance of moving away from the “lip service” that characterized previous efforts and embracing a more proactive and results-oriented approach. This new approach, he explains, involves addressing the underlying structural issues within the sector, including investing in infrastructure upgrades, combating vandalism, and closing the metering gap.
Adelabu acknowledges the support received from international partners like the World Bank, recognizing their contributions to various aspects of the power sector, including transmission, distribution, renewable energy, and generation. He emphasizes the importance of continued collaboration with these partners to ensure the success of the current administration’s investments and achieve the ultimate goal of a stable and reliable power supply. This collaborative approach, he believes, is crucial for leveraging expertise and resources to address the complex challenges facing the sector.
In essence, the minister’s narrative frames the current administration’s efforts within a historical context of neglect and inaction. He portrays the previous governments’ approach as a cycle of repeating the same ineffective strategies while expecting different results. By contrast, he positions the current administration as a force for change, committed to breaking this cycle by addressing the fundamental issues that have long plagued the power sector. This includes tackling infrastructure deficits, curbing vandalism, and promoting more effective management practices. The ultimate goal, he emphasizes, is to transform the sector into a reliable and efficient provider of electricity, laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth and development.
