The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians of the prompt restoration of electricity supply following a recent decline caused by a temporary shortfall in power generation.
The assurance was conveyed by Mr Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister, in a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday night. Tunji said the minister gave the assurance during a meeting with key power sector stakeholders, including the Nigeria Independent System Operator (NISO), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Power Generation Companies (GenCos), and Power Distribution Companies (DisCos).
According to the statement, the situation is expected to be resolved within 24 to 48 hours.
“The drop in power supply followed an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline (ELP), compounded by acts of vandalism on critical gas infrastructure, which disrupted gas supply to several thermal power plants across the country,” Tunji explained.
Stakeholders at the meeting confirmed that repairs to the i pipelines would be completed within 24 to 48 hours, enabling the resumption of gas supply. The minister subsequently directed all relevant agencies to intensify their efforts to adhere to the timeline.
The minister’s assurance followed a statement by NISO, which reported that it was closely monitoring ongoing repair works being carried out by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). NISO confirmed that the pipeline explosion had caused a significant reduction in electricity generation nationwide, with several gas-fired power stations recording reduced output, leading to a shortfall in electricity supply.
Adelabu said preliminary investigations established that the gas supply shortage was caused by the ELP explosion and acts of pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.
“These incidents significantly reduced the volume of gas required to power key electricity plants, resulting in a sharp decline in overall generation on the national grid,” he said.
While acknowledging the impact on households and businesses, Adelabu assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is committed to resolving the issue swiftly.
“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 round the clock to address the situation with utmost urgency,” the minister said.
He stressed that the disruption is temporary and directly linked to acute gas supply constraints affecting thermal power generation stations. Given the increased electricity demand during the Yuletide season, Adelabu emphasised the urgency of restoring gas supply and ramping up power generation, predicting a marked improvement within 24 to 48 hours.
Beyond immediate restoration efforts, the minister said long-term measures are being accelerated to diversify the nation’s energy mix, strengthen grid resilience, and deploy advanced surveillance technologies to protect critical infrastructure.
Adelabu appealed to the public for patience and vigilance, urging communities to report any suspicious activities around power and gas facilities. He reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to delivering stable, reliable, and sustainable electricity to homes, industries, and the broader economy.
NAN.
