Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu assured Nigerians over the weekend that 2026 would be a year focused on building upon the progress achieved in the electricity sector during 2025, with the goal of providing more dependable, accessible, and sustainable power to all parts of the country.
In his New Year’s message, the Minister highlighted that despite challenges faced in the past year, the sector reached significant milestones, including improved stability of the national grid and unprecedented achievements in power generation and distribution.
He explained that ongoing work under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), often referred to as the Siemens Deal, has been crucial in strengthening the grid and reducing the instances of system failures seen in previous years. He voiced his strong belief that the current first phase of the PPI would further improve grid resilience, making power outages even less frequent.
Looking back at the past year, the Minister recognized the patience and resilience shown by Nigerians as the power sector navigated difficult issues related to grid stability and inefficiencies in the distribution network.
He expressed his appreciation for the public’s understanding, describing their steadfastness as essential for building a more robust and sustainable energy future.
Turning his attention to the people of Oyo State, Chief Adelabu reaffirmed his dedication to representing their interests at the national level, stating that their ongoing support motivates his commitment to public service.
Looking forward, the Minister reiterated the federal government’s commitment to providing a reliable, accessible, and sustainable electricity supply to power homes, industries, and overall economic advancement.
He outlined key priorities for the coming year, including intensified efforts to bolster grid stability, expand transmission infrastructure, enhance collaboration with distribution companies to improve service, and accelerate the rollout of metering programs across communities.
He further stated that the ‘Light Up Nigeria’ initiative would remain a key priority, with a continued focus on industrial and agricultural centers to stimulate economic activity and create jobs. The Minister also emphasized the government’s dedication to developing renewable energy sources, particularly solar and hydropower, to extend electricity access to underserved and rural areas.
Adelabu emphasized that achieving these objectives would require a collaborative approach, calling for unity among state governments, local communities, the private sector, and individual citizens.
“Protecting power infrastructure and embracing energy-efficient practices are crucial contributions that every Nigerian can make. As we enter the new year, let us do so with shared responsibility and renewed optimism. Our work is ongoing, and our determination is stronger than ever,” he concluded.
