The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians that electricity supply across the country will be restored within 24 to 48 hours following a recent drop in power availability caused by a temporary shortfall in generation.
The minister gave the assurance on Tuesday amid widespread concerns over reduced electricity supply, which followed an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline (ELP), compounded by acts of vandalism on critical gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta region. The incident disrupted gas supply to several thermal power plants, leading to a sharp decline in electricity generation nationwide.
According to reports, the National Independent System Operator (NISO) had earlier informed the public and key power sector stakeholders that it was closely monitoring repair works being carried out by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
NISO confirmed that the pipeline explosion significantly reduced gas supply to multiple gas-fired power stations, resulting in lower output and a shortfall in electricity supplied to consumers across the national grid.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu acknowledged the inconvenience being experienced by households and businesses, but stressed that the disruption is temporary.
“The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians that electricity supply will be rapidly restored following the recent decline caused by a temporary shortfall in power supply. The situation is expected to be resolved within the next 24 to 48 hours,” the statement said.
The minister explained that the power drop was directly linked to acute gas supply constraints affecting several thermal power generation stations. He reiterated his assurance during a high-level meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja with key stakeholders in the power sector, including representatives of NISO, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), power generation companies, distribution companies and officials of the Ministry of Power.
Given the increased electricity demand during the Yuletide season, Adelabu emphasised the urgency of restoring gas supply and ramping up electricity generation. Stakeholders at the meeting confirmed that repairs to the vandalised pipeline were nearing completion and that gas supply would be restored within the projected 24 to 48-hour timeline.
Preliminary investigations, the minister disclosed, established that the supply disruption was caused by the ELP explosion and vandalism of gas pipelines in the Niger Delta, which significantly reduced the volume of gas available for power generation.
“We understand the frustration this has caused Nigerians. However, we wish to assure the public that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power, is working around the clock to address the situation with utmost urgency,” Adelabu said.
Beyond immediate restoration efforts, the minister said the Federal Government is accelerating long-term measures to diversify the nation’s energy mix, strengthen grid resilience and deploy advanced surveillance technologies to protect critical power and gas infrastructure.
He appealed for public patience and urged communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around energy facilities, stressing that protecting national infrastructure is a shared responsibility.
Adelabu reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to delivering stable, reliable and sustainable electricity, assuring Nigerians that the temporary setback would not derail the administration’s broader power sector reform agenda.
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