Worried Nigerians can expect a return to normal electricity service within the next two days, according to assurances from the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu. The Minister addressed concerns following a recent dip in power availability, attributing the shortfall to a temporary reduction in energy generation capacity.
Minister Adelabu stated that comprehensive efforts are already in motion to stabilize the national grid and restore power supply to its usual levels across the country.
Reports indicate that the recent disruption was triggered by an explosion impacting the Escravos-Lagos Gas Pipeline, coupled with acts of vandalism targeting crucial gas infrastructure. This combination of events has significantly hampered gas delivery to several thermal power plants nationwide.
The Minister’s statement comes in response to an earlier announcement from the National Independent System Operator (NISO), who informed the public and industry stakeholders that they are carefully monitoring the repair work being undertaken by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
NISO has confirmed that the pipeline explosion has resulted in a considerable decrease in electricity generation across the nation.
According to NISO, numerous gas-powered generating stations experienced reduced output following the incident. This has led to a decrease in the available generation capacity on the national grid, subsequently causing a reduction in electricity supply to homes and businesses.
However, the System Operator has indicated that NGPTC has assured them that repair work on the damaged pipeline is progressing rapidly, with full operations anticipated to resume within the next 24 to 48 hours.
In a statement released by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister, Adelabu acknowledged the difficulties currently faced by both residential and commercial consumers.
The statement conveyed the Minister’s message: “Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, has assured the Nigerian public that electricity service will be rapidly reinstated following the recent decline caused by a short-term drop in power supply. The situation is projected to improve within the next day or two.”
He clarified that the disruption is temporary and directly related to serious limitations in gas supply, affecting a number of thermal power generation facilities.
The Minister reiterated these assurances during a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, with key stakeholders in the power sector. Participants included representatives from NISO, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Ministry of Power, power generation companies (GENCOs), and power distribution companies (DISCOs).
Recognizing the increased demand for electricity during the holiday season, the Minister emphasized the critical need to expedite the restoration of gas supply and increase energy generation.
During the meeting, stakeholders affirmed that repairs to the vandalized pipelines would be finalized within 24 to 48 hours, allowing for the resumption of gas supply.
Subsequently, the Minister instructed all relevant agencies to intensify their efforts to ensure strict adherence to the specified timeline.
Preliminary investigations, according to the Minister, have determined that the gas supply shortage stemmed from the ELP explosion and acts of vandalism targeting gas pipelines in the Niger Delta region.
These incidents have substantially reduced the volume of gas necessary to power key electricity plants, leading to a sharp decrease in overall generation on the national grid.
While acknowledging the impact of the power disruption on businesses and households, Adelabu reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving the issue swiftly.
“We are aware of the frustration that this situation has caused Nigerians. However, we want to assure the public that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power, is working tirelessly to address the situation with the utmost urgency,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that a noticeable improvement in gas supply and power generation would be achieved within the next 24 to 48 hours, followed by a gradual return to normal generation levels.
The Minister further emphasized that the Federal Government is treating the incident with the utmost seriousness. He noted that beyond immediate restoration efforts, long-term measures are being accelerated to diversify the nation’s energy sources, strengthen grid resilience, and deploy advanced surveillance technologies to protect critical infrastructure.
He appealed to the public for patience and understanding during the temporary disruption and urged communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around power and gas facilities to security agencies, underscoring that the protection of national infrastructure is a shared responsibility.
Adelabu also reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to providing stable, reliable, and sustainable electricity to power homes, industries, and the broader economy, assuring Nigerians that this temporary setback would not undermine that objective.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Independent System Operator has stated that it is closely monitoring ongoing repair work on the Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline following a recent explosion that disrupted gas supply to power plants.
In a statement, NISO explained that the incident, which occurred on the pipeline operated by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, led to a significant drop in electricity generation nationwide.
The operator noted that several gas-fired power stations recorded low output after the explosion, reducing available generation capacity on the national grid and resulting in a shortfall in electricity supply to customers.
NISO added that it is in close contact with NGPTC and has been assured that repairs on the vandalised pipeline are nearing completion.
According to the system operator, the pipeline is expected to become fully operational within the next 24 to 48 hours, enabling affected power plants to resume operations and restore full electricity supply across the country.
