Power crisis: Nigerians demand Adelabu's sack over persistent blackouts
Persistent blackouts nationwide have intensified public and expert calls for President Bola Tinubu to remove Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu. Electricity supply has remained erratic for four months, with generation fluctuating between 2,000 and 4,000 megawatts—far below the needs of Nigeria's 250 million people. As of March 29, distribution companies received only 2,855 MW, highlighting the severe shortfall.
Adelabu recently apologized, acknowledging sector challenges, while President Tinubu proposed creating the Grid Asset Management Company (GAMCO) to inject 150,000 MW into electricity corridors. However, many argue apologies and proposals are insufficient without immediate improvement. Eze Onyekpere of the Centre for Social Justice told Daily Post the minister is "a failure" with "no agenda" and should resign or be sacked, citing Tinubu's campaign promise to revive the sector.
In contrast, energy expert Prof. Wumi Iledare argued the crisis stems from systemic governance failures, not ministerial competence. He blamed flawed privatization that "created millionaires, not businessmen" and called for decentralizing into regional markets and strengthening institutions, stating: "The ministry of power should be called, not the minister."
The debate centers on whether leadership change or structural reform is the solution. With gas debts exceeding N4 trillion cited as a constraint, and public patience wearing thin, the question remains: does replacing Adelabu address the root causes, or are deeper institutional and policy overhauls the only path to reliable power?