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Power Minister Adelabu Set to Resign After Tinubu Backs Governorship Ambition
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is expected to resign from the Federal Executive Council in the coming days following approval from President Bola Tinubu for him to pursue a governorship ambition.
The development was disclosed in Abuja on Wednesday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Tunji Bolaji. According to him, the timing of Adelabu’s anticipated exit reflects a deliberate effort to consolidate ongoing reforms in the power sector before stepping down.
Bolaji revealed that Adelabu met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, where he presented a detailed account of his stewardship over the past two and a half years. The minister reportedly used the opportunity to highlight progress made in addressing longstanding challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
“President Tinubu commended the minister for his dedication and the progress recorded, particularly in laying a strong policy foundation for the transformation of the power sector,” Bolaji said. He added that the President granted his consent and blessing for Adelabu to proceed with his political ambition.
Adelabu’s imminent resignation comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s power sector, which has faced persistent challenges including unstable electricity generation, weak transmission infrastructure, and distribution inefficiencies. Despite decades of reforms and privatisation efforts, reliable power supply remains a major constraint on economic growth and industrial productivity.
During the meeting with the President, the minister outlined several key milestones achieved under his leadership. These include initiatives to stabilise electricity generation, strengthen transmission capacity, and improve operational efficiency across the sector’s value chain. Analysts say such efforts are crucial in a country where power shortages continue to affect households and businesses alike.
A major highlight of Adelabu’s presentation was the introduction of the National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP) and its accompanying Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP). The NIEP is designed as a long-term framework to guide the sustainable development of Nigeria’s electricity sector, with a focus on expanding access, improving reliability, and integrating renewable energy sources.
The Strategic Implementation Plan provides the operational roadmap for achieving these objectives, detailing timelines, institutional responsibilities, and specific actions required to drive measurable outcomes. It also prioritises reforms across generation, transmission, and distribution, while addressing regulatory bottlenecks, investment mobilisation, and capacity development.
Bolaji noted that the policy framework also takes into account recent setbacks in the sector, particularly declines in power generation caused by gas supply constraints, pipeline maintenance, and outstanding financial obligations to gas suppliers. Nigeria’s heavy reliance on gas-fired power plants has made the sector vulnerable to disruptions in gas supply, often leading to nationwide outages.
Industry observers believe the introduction of the NIEP could mark a turning point if effectively implemented, as it aligns with broader efforts to modernise the sector and attract private investment.
Adelabu, a former banker and political figure, has been a key player in shaping recent reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s power sector. His expected departure is likely to trigger a leadership transition at a time when continuity in policy execution is seen as critical.
Bolaji said the minister expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his support and reaffirmed his commitment to national development, even as he prepares to exit the cabinet.
As Adelabu prepares to step down, attention is expected to shift to his political ambitions and the impact of his exit on ongoing reforms within the power sector. The Federal Government is yet to announce a successor, but stakeholders say maintaining momentum in reform implementation will be essential to achieving long-term energy security.
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