Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, issued a formal public apology on Tuesday for the persistent electricity outages currently paralyzing homes and businesses nationwide.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Adelabu acknowledged the severe hardship caused by the blackouts, which have been exacerbated by the intense dry-season heat. He reported that the erratic supply has significantly disrupted operations in schools, industries, and small businesses, describing the situation as a "temporary setback" to the government's energy goals.
The Minister attributed the current crisis to factors he claimed are "beyond the immediate control" of the ministry, primarily citing a massive liquidity squeeze and chronic gas supply disruptions. Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) highlights the gravity of the situation: while national demand is estimated at nearly 40,000 MW, average generation has plummeted to between 4,000 and 5,000 MW. This deficit is fueled by over N1.3 trillion in unpaid debts within the power value chain, leading gas suppliers to reduce deliveries to thermal plants.