Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has stepped down from his position and suggested appointing a Coordinating Minister for Energy to lead unified reforms in the country’s electricity and gas industries.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu stated that he will officially leave office on April 30, 2026, as he intends to pursue a gubernatorial bid in Oyo State.
He explained that his action complies with the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which prevents current public office holders from participating in elections while still in office.
Bolaji Tunji, his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, confirmed the resignation. He noted that Adelabu expressed gratitude to the President for the chance to serve, describing his time in office as an honor and an opportunity to support the country’s progress.
Adelabu emphasized the importance of better coordination within the energy sector and recommended creating a Coordinating Minister for Energy to align policies and ensure proper execution across electricity, gas, and related areas.
Reflecting on his time in office, he pointed to several accomplishments, including the rollout of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralized the power sector and attracted more investment.
He also stated that peak electricity generation rose above 6,000 megawatts, supported by the addition of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and upgrades to thermal power stations.
Further improvements were recorded in transmission capacity through grid enhancements under the Presidential Power Initiative. Progress was also made in the distribution sector, such as stronger regulatory monitoring, better revenue performance, and steps to cut Aggregate Technical, Commercial, and Collection (ATC&C) losses.
He added that efforts to close the metering gap advanced through the Presidential Metering Initiative and the World Bank-backed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme.
On the financial front, Adelabu said pricing reforms and a ₦4 trillion debt restructuring plan increased market revenues from ₦1 trillion in 2023 to ₦2.3 trillion in 2025, helping rebuild investor trust in the industry.
Despite these improvements, he acknowledged persistent issues, including limited gas supply, damage to infrastructure, and the need to fully commercialize the electricity value chain.
To tackle these challenges, he proposed solutions such as introducing cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies, recapitalizing distribution firms, speeding up nationwide metering, maintaining investment in transmission systems, and strengthening regulatory compliance.
He stressed that establishing a Coordinating Minister for Energy would offer the leadership needed to enhance gas availability for power generation, better utilize hydro resources, and fast-track renewable energy growth.
Adelabu concluded by assuring a seamless transition process and expressing appreciation to the President for his continued support during his tenure.
