The Federal Government has declared a significant leap in Nigeria’s power sector stability, disclosing that the national grid now transmits electricity more reliably following the addition of over 700 megawatts of transmission capacity.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this known during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, in Abuja over the weekend.
According to a statement on Sunday by the minister’s media aide, Bolaji Tunji, the improved transmission performance was made possible through the Presidential Power Initiative, backed by a $2.3bn funding package aimed at overhauling the nation’s transmission infrastructure.
“We have installed almost 90 per cent of this, and they are working. That has improved transmission capacity by over 700 megawatts, which is the result of what we are seeing now in terms of relative stability in the transmission grid,” Adelabu was quoted as saying.
The minister noted that in the past, the grid became unstable and collapsed whenever supply approached 5,000 megawatts.
However, with the new installations—comprising 10 power transformers and 10 mobile substations—the national grid now sustains between 5,000MW and 8,000MW without major disruptions.
“This is not by accident. It’s because of these activities of the government,” Adelabu stated.
Adelabu also revealed that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry recently achieved two landmark milestones: the highest average daily power consumption of over 20,000 kilowatt-hours and the highest volume of energy transmission and distribution at 5,801.63MW, surpassing the previous record set in 2021.
In addition, the country has attained a viable generation capacity of 6,003MW, a feat the minister attributed to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to sectoral reforms.
The minister emphasized President Tinubu’s resolve to rescue the power sector, describing it as the “lifeblood” of Nigeria’s economy.
He acknowledged the vital support of the EU and countries such as Germany and France in providing financial and technical assistance. Adelabu stressed that collaboration with Western partners is key to accessing modern technology and expertise in power infrastructure.
“We got electricity before some European countries, yet we are still struggling with erratic supply. Those who came after us have stabilized their systems, while we remain dependent on imports because of our unreliable power,” he said.
He also highlighted the significance of the Electricity Act signed in 2023, which he described as a game-changer, enabling investments in off-grid renewable solutions and broader energy access, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
Represented by his special adviser on strategic communications at the 2nd edition of the Energy Times Newspaper Award, Adelabu reaffirmed the ministry’s focus under the Renewed Hope Agenda on four critical fronts: grid strengthening, renewable energy integration, investment reforms, and rural electrification.
“Electricity is the catalyst for industrialisation, job creation, and socio-economic development. Yet, we are acutely aware of the gaps that persist,” Adelabu noted while receiving the Power Sector Personality of the Year award.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, was named Young Achiever of the Year at the 2025 Energy Times Awards held in Lagos.
Adighije, appointed in August 2024, was recognised for her swift action in restoring two turbine units that had been offline, thereby injecting an additional 230MW into the national grid.
“This is a call to work harder,” she said, pledging to scale up power generation and maintain focus on the agency’s mandate to intervene across the entire gas-to-power value chain.
Other award recipients at the event include Ekiti State Governor, Abayomi Oyebanji (Energy Governor of the Year); former NNPC GCEO, Mele Kyari (Man of the Year); NMDPRA CEO, Farouk Ahmed (Transformational Leader of the Year); and Ikeja Electric CEO, Folake Soetan (Amazon of Nigeria’s Power Sector).
Corporate winners included Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (Major Oil Company of the Year), Seplat Energy (Fastest Growing Indigenous Oil Company), Egbin Power (Sustainable Development Company of the Year), and Heirs Energies (Outstanding Oil Company of the Year).
NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, also received an Award of Excellence.
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