In Abuja, while accepting the findings from a committee established to investigate these collapses, Adelabu highlighted that many of the issues in 2024 were due to equipment theft and deliberate damage. 

He added that poor maintenance practices and other external challenges also played a role, emphasizing that the government is addressing the problem as a matter of urgency.

Adelabu pledged that the ministry would examine the committee’s findings, make necessary adjustments, and present them to President Bola Tinubu. 

The committee, led by Nafisat Ali, Executive Director of the Independent System Operator, cited critical failures such as lightning arrestor damage at Jebba and Oshogbo stations on October 14 and a CT explosion at Jebba on October 19.

The committee proposed revising relay protocols within a month, boosting training for maintenance and operations staff, and conducting tests on key equipment. 

Ali noted that recommendations with financial implications would be included in the 2025 budget or supported through additional funding. She also praised the efforts of colleagues and partners for quick responses that kept grid disruptions under 24 hours.

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Addressing State House correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Mr. Adelabu explained that the Shiroro-Kaduna line is a key power route supplying the northern region. Its destruction disrupted electricity in the affected states.

“The President has directed the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, and the Army and Air Force Chiefs to ensure adequate security for the repair teams,” the minister said. “With proper security, TCN staff and contractors will be able to safely access the site and carry out the repairs.”

Mr. Adelabu appealed to residents of the affected northern states for patience, assuring them that power would soon be restored. He urged citizens to protect critical infrastructure like the national grid to prevent further disruptions.

He also revealed that the Federal Executive Council had previously approved plans to upgrade the Shiroro-Kaduna line, one of the country’s oldest power transmission systems. Upon completion, this upgrade is expected to improve the stability of electricity supply across the North.

In response to concerns over customer billing during the outage, Mr. Adelabu promised to meet with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and power distribution companies to ensure residents are not charged for the period of the blackout.

The minister also commented on recent power challenges, including two recent grid collapses caused by a transformer explosion at the Jebba power station. “The transformer that exploded was 47 years old,” he said, “and the national grid itself is more than 50 years old. Many of its transmission lines are weak, with failing towers, outdated substations, and aging transformers.”

He acknowledged that efforts to modernize the grid were underway but cautioned that the transformation would take time. “We can’t replace everything overnight,” he said. “Until we fully overhaul the system, we will continue to manage it to minimize disturbances.”

Mr. Adelabu concluded by emphasizing the need for collective responsibility in safeguarding the grid, underscoring the importance of uninterrupted power to national development.

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During a meeting on Thursday, October 3, with the Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund, Mr. Tosin Adeyanju, who led a management team to the Ministry of Power in Abuja, the Minister highlighted the ongoing initiatives to improve electricity access. He noted that, despite public outcry over high electricity costs, power from the national grid remains cheaper compared to running petrol or diesel generators.

Adelabu explained that the price of electricity in Nigeria is still among the lowest in Africa, cheaper than in countries like Togo, Mali, and Niger Republic. However, due to the relatively low-income levels in Nigeria, many consumers perceive the costs as high.

In 2024, Nigerians have voiced concerns over rising electricity tariffs, especially for Band A customers who now pay N209.5 per kilowatt hour, despite receiving 20 hours of power daily.

Adelabu assured the public that with the government’s efforts to increase power generation and distribution, a reduction in electricity costs is imminent. “We are committed to making power more affordable for all Nigerians,” he stated.

During the visit, Adeyanju commended the Minister for his performance in the power sector, noting significant improvements in electricity supply since Adelabu’s appointment. He praised the government’s renewed focus on solar energy, which has boosted public confidence in the sector.

Adeyanju also outlined the Trust Fund’s efforts to support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by training youths in rural areas on solar energy assembly. He called for collaboration with the Ministry of Power to equip young people with skills that could provide employment and reduce youth restiveness in rural communities.

In response, Minister Adelabu expressed readiness to collaborate with the National Lottery Trust Fund on renewable energy projects, particularly in areas not covered by the national grid. He highlighted the importance of solar and wind power in improving energy access for rural communities, emphasizing the government’s commitment to rural development and youth empowerment.

Adelabu noted that while global energy prices are rising due to conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, Nigeria remains focused on enhancing energy security. He urged Nigerians to be patient, assuring them that the government is dedicated to positive transformation and will continue its efforts to provide reliable and affordable electricity.

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