Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has formally tendered his resignation, recommending the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to strengthen policy alignment and drive integrated reforms across the country’s energy sector.
In a letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adelabu said his resignation will take effect from April 30, 2026.
Adelabu explained that the move would allow him to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State, in compliance with provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which bars serving political office holders from contesting elections.
The Minister, who met with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) prior to submitting his resignation, expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as a privilege to contribute to national development.
A key highlight of Adelabu’s exit proposal is the recommendation for a Coordinating Minister for Energy; a central authority to harmonise policy direction and ensure effective implementation across Nigeria’s power, gas, and related sectors.
He argued that such a role is critical to sustaining recent gains and addressing longstanding structural challenges in the energy value chain.
Key Achievements
Reflecting on his time in office, Adelabu pointed to several milestones, including the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralised the electricity market and improved the investment climate.
He noted that peak power generation increased to over 6,000 megawatts, supported by the integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the rehabilitation of key thermal power stations.
He also highlighted improvements in transmission capacity through grid upgrades under the Presidential Power Initiative, as well as progress in the distribution segment.
According to him, enhanced regulatory oversight and better revenue collection mechanisms have helped reduce Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses.
Efforts to close Nigeria’s metering gap were also accelerated through the Presidential Metering Initiative and the World Bank-backed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), both of which have contributed to improved service delivery and transparency in billing.
On the financial front, Adelabu disclosed that tariff reforms and a ₦4 trillion debt restructuring programme boosted market revenues from about ₦1 trillion in 2023 to ₦2.3 trillion in 2025, helping to restore investor confidence and reposition the sector towards sustainability.
Challenges
Despite these gains, he acknowledged lingering challenges, including gas supply constraints, infrastructure vandalism, and the need for full commercialisation of the electricity market.
To address these, the minister proposed a series of measures such as cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies, recapitalisation of distribution companies, accelerated nationwide metering, sustained investment in transmission infrastructure, and stronger regulatory enforcement.
Adelabu stressed that the proposed Coordinating Minister for Energy would provide strategic oversight across interconnected sectors of power, gas, water resources, and environment, ensuring improved gas supply for thermal generation, optimal use of hydroelectric resources, and faster deployment of renewable energy solutions.
Confirming the development, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, said Adelabu remains committed to ensuring a seamless handover process.
He added that the outgoing Minister is appreciative of the trust and support extended to him during his tenure.
Adelabu’s resignation marks a significant transition in Nigeria’s power sector leadership, coming at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to stabilise electricity supply and attract long-term investment into the energy industry.