Power Minister Adelabu Quits Office, Pushes for Energy Sector Reforms

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has formally resigned from his position in the cabinet of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, Adelabu stated that his exit will take effect on April 30, 2026, to allow him focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
He stressed that sustaining and consolidating progress in the power sector requires stronger coordination at the highest level, including the establishment of a central authority to harmonise policy direction and execution.
The Minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday. He noted that Adelabu expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as a privilege to contribute to national development.
Adelabu explained that his decision is in line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which prevents serving political office holders from contesting elections. He also revealed that his governorship ambition dates back to 2016 during his time as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In his three-page letter, the Minister highlighted key achievements recorded during his tenure, including the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralised the electricity market and enhanced the investment climate.
He noted that peak power generation increased to over 6,000 megawatts, supported by the integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the rehabilitation of thermal power plants. Transmission capacity was also improved through grid upgrades under the Presidential Power Initiative.
Adelabu further pointed to improvements in the distribution segment, such as stronger regulatory oversight, better revenue collection, and progress in reducing Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses. He added that efforts to bridge the metering gap gained traction through the Presidential Metering Initiative and the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP).
On the financial side, he stated that tariff reforms and a ₦4 trillion debt restructuring programme boosted market revenues from ₦1 trillion in 2023 to ₦2.3 trillion in 2025, restoring investor confidence and positioning the sector for sustainability.
Despite these achievements, the Minister acknowledged ongoing challenges, including gas supply constraints, infrastructure vandalism, and the need for full commercialisation of the electricity value chain.
To address these issues, he proposed measures such as implementing cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies, recapitalising distribution companies, accelerating nationwide metering, sustaining transmission investments, and strengthening regulatory enforcement.
A key recommendation, he said, is the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to provide strategic oversight and ensure synergy across the power, gas, water resources, and environmental sectors. According to him, this would enhance gas supply for thermal generation, optimise hydroelectric resources, and speed up renewable energy deployment.
Tunji added that Adelabu remains committed to ensuring a smooth handover process, while again expressing appreciation to the President for the trust and support given to him throughout his tenure.