Nigeria’s power crisis may soon ease as the Federal Government moves to resolve the persistent gas supply challenges crippling electricity generation nationwide.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed that concrete steps are already underway to stabilise supply and improve electricity delivery to homes and businesses.
Speaking in his Eid-el-Fitr message, Adelabu expressed optimism that recent reforms introduced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu are beginning to yield results, with Nigerians expected to see noticeable improvements soon.
“Concrete measures are being implemented to ensure more reliable and sustainable electricity,” he said, adding that the government remains committed to long-term sector stability.
The intervention comes amid a worsening energy crisis triggered by a massive N3.3 trillion debt owed to gas suppliers by power generation companies. The debt forced suppliers to halt gas deliveries to thermal power plants, significantly reducing electricity output.
Industry data shows that Nigeria’s power generation recently dropped below 4,000 megawatts — far below national demand — largely due to insufficient gas supply.
According to figures from the Nigerian Independent System Operator, thermal plants require about 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet of gas daily to operate efficiently. However, actual supply has fallen to roughly 692 million cubic feet per day — less than half of what is needed.
This shortfall has resulted in prolonged blackouts across the country, leaving millions of households and businesses struggling, especially amid rising fuel costs and extreme heat conditions.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Joy Ogaji, had earlier warned that the mounting debt crisis threatens the entire power sector.
Despite the challenges, Adelabu assured Nigerians that resolving gas supply constraints remains a top priority, noting that broader reforms are aimed at improving efficiency across the electricity value chain.
He also called for patience, describing the current difficulties as part of a transition towards a more stable and sustainable power system.
“The challenges we face today are the building blocks of a more prosperous tomorrow,” the minister stated.
Adelabu further hinted that ongoing international engagements by the government, including recent meetings in the United Kingdom, could attract investment into critical sectors like power, ultimately boosting infrastructure and service delivery.
For now, Nigerians continue to endure erratic electricity supply, but the government insists relief is on the horizon as efforts intensify to fix the country’s gas supply bottleneck.
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