The federal government has said it is actively taking measures to address persistent gas supply shortages affecting Nigeria’s Generation Companies (GenCos), which have constrained electricity production nationwide.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in his Eid al-Fitr message. He expressed confidence that these interventions are gradually improving electricity supply, although he did not provide specific details on the steps being taken.
Despite chronic gas shortages, thermal power plants—responsible for about 70% of Nigeria’s electricity—have been operating at less than 43% of required gas volumes. This has led to power generation dropping below 3,940MW, triggering nationwide blackouts and higher operational costs for businesses relying on backup power.
GenCos cited N3.3 trillion in debt owed to gas suppliers and N6.8 trillion in government and NBET debts as key contributors to supply disruptions and plant shutdowns. The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) reported that gas constraints were responsible for reductions in power supply to 4,300MW in February 2026 and 3,940MW in March 2026.
Minister Adelabu highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure more reliable and sustainable electricity for homes, businesses, and industries, crediting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms for laying the groundwork. He urged Nigerians to apply the same spirit of discipline and sacrifice from Ramadan to national development, emphasizing public trust, cooperation, and collective responsibility as key to achieving progress.
The minister also encouraged unity, patience, and dedication to the administration’s policies, citing recent international engagements by President Tinubu as steps toward boosting investment and economic growth.
