Nigeria power crisis Adelabu removal calls grow as blackouts persist, with debates over governance failures and structural reforms in the sector

Persistent blackouts across Nigeria have intensified public pressure on the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, with growing calls for his removal as households and businesses continue to grapple with an unstable electricity supply.

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Power generation over the past four months has remained erratic, fluctuating between 2,000 and 4,000 megawatts, a figure far below national demand.

As of March 29, 2026, electricity distribution companies received just 2,855 megawatts, underscoring the depth of the supply shortfall affecting a population of over 250 million people.

Distribution companies have attributed the situation to insufficient generation, while generation companies cite gas supply constraints linked to mounting sector debts reportedly exceeding N4 trillion.

The combined challenges have resulted in widespread disruption, leaving many Nigerians reliant on alternative and often costly power sources.

The growing frustration has prompted renewed criticism of the power sector’s leadership.

Eze Onyekpere, lead director of the Centre for Social Justice, called for the immediate removal of Adelabu, describing his performance as lacking direction and innovation.

He argued that continued confidence in the minister offers little prospect of improvement in the sector.

Onyekpere also referenced campaign assurances made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding electricity reform, stating that current realities fall short of those expectations.

He maintained that decisive leadership is required to address the systemic challenges facing the sector.

In contrast, Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics, Wumi Iledare, offered a different perspective, attributing the ongoing crisis to broader governance failures rather than the competence of the minister.

He argued that focusing on individual leadership alone would not resolve the structural issues affecting the power sector.

Iledare emphasised the need to revisit the foundations of the sector’s privatisation framework, suggesting that flaws in its original design continue to hinder progress.

He also warned that similar challenges could emerge in other critical sectors if systemic issues are not addressed.

President Tinubu has acknowledged the electricity challenges and pointed to ongoing reforms, including the proposed Grid Asset Management Company, GAMCO, which he said is designed to strengthen the sector’s financial and structural framework.

However, public sentiment remains largely sceptical, with many Nigerians calling for immediate and tangible improvements rather than policy announcements.

Amid the debate, experts have suggested decentralisation of the electricity market as a potential long-term solution, alongside stronger institutional coordination within the Ministry of Power.

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While opinions differ on whether leadership change is necessary, there is broad agreement that the sector requires urgent and sustained reform to stabilise supply and restore public confidence.