By Our Reporter
Abuja, Nigeria — April 18, 2025
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, on Thursday announced significant milestones in Nigeria’s electricity sector, declaring that the nation’s average daily power generation has grown by nearly 40% in the first quarter of 2025—marking the highest level of energy availability in the country’s history.
Adelabu made the disclosures during a ministerial press briefing in Abuja, where he presented the Federal Ministry of Power’s 100-day performance review. “True progress is measured not by promises but by results delivered,” the Minister said, as he rolled out a catalogue of reforms, expansions, and successes across the electricity value chain.
Record Generation and Sector Reform
According to the Minister, Nigeria reached a peak available generation capacity of 6,003 megawatts (MW) in March 2025, with average daily generation hitting 5,700MW, a sharp increase from 4,100MW in Q3 2023.
This performance, he said, was made possible by strategic interventions, including the restoration of idle capacity at Omotosho and Benin plants and the commissioning of multiple mini-grid projects in Plateau, Cross River, Niger, Oyo, and Osun States.
Adelabu highlighted the operationalisation of the National Independent System Operator (NISO), the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, and the development of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Integrated Resource Plan as foundational reforms under the Electricity Act 2023.
Market Revenue Hits ₦1.7 Trillion
He announced that recent tariff reforms had boosted market revenue by ₦700 billion, a 70% increase over 2023, reducing the government’s subsidy burden by 35%. “Financial viability and service delivery can coexist,” Adelabu asserted, as he defended the cost-reflective tariff for Band A customers.
Expanding Access and Infrastructure
In transmission, the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) delivered infrastructure across 13 locations, adding 700MW to the national grid. Contracts for the next phase have been signed with Siemens, CMEC, Elswedy, and Power China.
The Minister also revealed that 70% of Nigeria’s hydropower potential remains untapped and announced ongoing work on the Makurdi hydro project (1,500MW) and Kaduna thermal plant (215MW), with the latter expected to come online by year-end.
To address electricity access, Adelabu cited the Presidential Metering Initiative, targeting 1.1 million new meters in 2025 and 2 million annually thereafter. A ₦700 billion FAAC allocation and World Bank-backed programs will deliver over 3.2 million meters.
Energy Transition and Renewable Push
Adelabu affirmed Nigeria’s leadership in the African energy transition, referencing the country’s signing of the Nigerian Energy Compact in Tanzania and several initiatives under the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) and the $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project. A landmark 1.2GW solar project with Oando Clean Energy was also announced.
Challenges Remain
Despite the progress, the Minister acknowledged challenges, including ₦4 trillion in unpaid subsidies, vandalism, energy theft, and insufficient investment in distribution. He pledged increased enforcement, stakeholder engagement, and tougher regulatory measures.
Looking Ahead
“Our journey is just beginning,” Adelabu said, adding that the Ministry would continue with a people-centred, reform-driven approach to transforming Nigeria’s power landscape.
The briefing concluded with a call for collective action to sustain momentum and ensure the sector delivers reliable, affordable, and sustainable power to all Nigerians.
