The Federal Government has intensified efforts to reform Nigeria’s power sector with the rollout of strategic initiatives aimed at improving electricity supply, bridging the metering gap, and enhancing infrastructure nationwide. This was revealed by the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, during a ministerial press briefing in Abuja.
Chief Adelabu announced that over 100 power projects have been identified for execution in the 2025 population plan, with N25 billion already earmarked for implementation within the year. According to him, this financial commitment will support the completion of several critical power infrastructure projects that will significantly improve electricity supply across the country.
He highlighted the success of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), being implemented by the FGN Power Company in collaboration with Siemens. The pilot phase of the PPI has added 700 megawatts to the national grid and delivered new infrastructure across key states including Abuja, Kogi, Delta, Edo, Plateau, Lagos, Kebbi, Niger, Kano, Oyo, and Kwara.
Following this progress, the Federal Executive Council has approved the commencement of Phase One of the initiative, with contracts already signed and financing at advanced stages.
Adelabu further emphasized that the country has experienced stability in the national grid since January 2025, with no major disturbances recorded in four months. Measures are being taken to ensure this stability is sustained, including improvements in turnaround time for resolving faults and further regionalization of the national grid.
The minister explained that the Eastern and Western Super Grid projects are ongoing and expected to revolutionize the power transmission framework. By decentralizing the grid, the new model will prevent total blackouts by isolating faults to specific regions without affecting the entire country.
In addressing the metering challenge, Adelabu revealed that the Federal Government has launched the Presidential Metering Initiative, backed by a N700 billion allocation. The initiative, a partnership between the federal and state governments, aims to deploy 1.1 million meters by the end of 2025 and subsequently install 2 million meters annually for the next five years, targeting over 11 million meters in total. The Chairman of the initiative is Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, with the Special Adviser on Energy to the President serving as Secretary.
Additionally, the World Bank-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Program is expected to deliver 3.2 million meters, with 75,000 already received in April and another 200,000 expected in May. By year-end, 1.3 million meters will be installed under this program, alongside digital data management tools to optimize distribution.
To further strengthen the distribution segment, the Federal Government has initiated restructuring measures across Distribution Companies (DisCos), focusing on improved service delivery, operational efficiency, and transparent performance monitoring through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Contracts have also been awarded under the PPI to build new power lines, digital substations, and distribution transformers across 25 states.
On renewable energy, the government has made significant strides through programs such as the Energizing Education Programme (EEP), which is providing reliable electricity to 37 federal universities and seven affiliated teaching hospitals. Universities including the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (12MW), University of Abuja (3MW), and University of Agriculture, Makurdi (4MW) have already benefited from this initiative.
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Furthermore, the Renewable Energy Scale-Up Project, a $750 million World Bank-funded initiative, is driving expansion of off-grid systems to underserved communities, promoting clean energy, and aligning with Nigeria’s energy transition goals.
In terms of local capacity building, Adelabu disclosed that a demonstration substation has been commissioned to train engineers, with several sector professionals already undergoing hands-on training. He stressed the need for local manufacturing of power equipment such as solar panels and batteries to reduce pressure on foreign exchange and create job opportunities.
The minister, however, lamented the N4 trillion debt owed to power generation companies, describing it as a major threat to the sector. According to him, unpaid debts, unfunded subsidies, energy theft, and refusal by consumers to pay bills continue to sabotage the government’s reform efforts. He pointed out that despite the country producing only 6,000MW today, countries like Bangladesh and Egypt, which were on similar levels with Nigeria in 2003, have grown to 28,000MW and 42,000MW respectively.
Adelabu urged Nigerians to embrace accountability and responsible consumption, warning that power theft and non-payment of bills will no longer be tolerated. He called for greater investment from private operators and emphasized that the government cannot carry the burden alone.
He concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to transforming the power sector into a reliable foundation for national development, stating that no sector—whether agriculture, education, or health—can thrive without a functional electricity supply.
