Now Reading: 50M Nigerians Get Stable Power? Minister’s Bold Claim Sparks Debate
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50M Nigerians Get Stable Power? Minister’s Bold Claim Sparks Debate
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu announced on April 16, 2025, that 150 million Nigerians, or 68% of the 220 million population, now enjoy stable electricity supply following reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, per Vanguard.
Speaking at a National Grid Expansion Summit in Abuja, Adelabu credited the addition of 2,000 megawatts to the national grid since 2023, bringing total capacity to 5,500 MW, per Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) data. He highlighted 10 new solar and gas plants, including the 100 MW Zungeru Hydro Plant, launched in January 2025, per The Punch.
However, critics question the claim, noting 85 million Nigerians still lack access, per 2024 World Bank data, and urban areas like Lagos face 4-6 hours of daily outages, per local surveys. The minister admitted challenges, including 70% transmission losses and vandalism affecting 200 substations, per NERC.
Adelabu’s target of 6,000 MW by 2026 aligns with a $2 billion World Bank loan for grid upgrades, per ThisDay. Public skepticism persists, with 60% of Nigerians relying on generators, costing ₦5 trillion annually, per NBS 2024 data, as rural electrification lags at 40% coverage.
