Power Minister promises lower electricity costs
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians that the government is working diligently to reduce electricity costs in the coming months, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance power generation and distribution across the country. Adelabu made this statement during a courtesy visit from Tosin Adeyanju, the Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund, and his management team at the Ministry of Power headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, October 3, 2024.
While acknowledging the frustrations of Nigerians, particularly those in Band A, who have been vocal about the rising electricity costs, the minister emphasized that, despite these concerns, electricity remains cheaper than operating diesel or petrol-powered generators given the current prices of those fuels. He further pointed out that, compared to other African nations like Togo, Mali, and Niger Republic, electricity prices in Nigeria are relatively low.
“Nigerians can be assured of a reduction in the cost of electricity with the ongoing efforts to improve power generation and distribution,” Adelabu said. “The price of electricity in Nigeria is still the cheapest when compared to many African countries, but the low-income levels of most Nigerians make the cost seem higher.”
The minister attributed the perception of high electricity costs to the financial realities faced by many citizens but reiterated that the government remains committed to making power more affordable. He stressed that the current administration is focused on addressing the power sector’s challenges to ease the financial burden on consumers while improving service delivery.
During the meeting, Adeyanju praised the minister for his achievements since taking office, commending his competence and the improvements seen in the electricity supply over the past year. “Permit me to address you as a performing Minister of Power, because since 1999, we have not witnessed the kind of improvement in electricity supply that we are seeing today,” Adeyanju said. “Before now, many Nigerians had turned to solar solutions due to the poor power supply. But you have restored confidence in the sector since you came on board.”
Adelabu’s efforts have gained considerable attention, especially after he revealed last week that more than 40% of Nigerians now enjoy 20 hours of power supply daily. He credited this achievement to a series of revolutionary measures taken by the Ministry of Power, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which aims to strengthen the nation’s economy through energy reforms.
One of the most notable accomplishments under Adelabu’s leadership has been the generation of more than 5,500 megawatts of power—a significant milestone in the past year. The minister also shared plans to further boost the country’s electricity output by the end of the year.
With these ongoing reforms, Adelabu remains optimistic that Nigerians will soon experience more affordable and reliable electricity. However, he stressed the need for continued government support and collaboration with private sector stakeholders to sustain the progress made so far in the power sector.
