By Chidi Ugwu
In a significant breakthrough, Nigeria’s power sector has achieved unprecedented milestones under the leadership of Honourable Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
On March 2, 2025, the country reportedly reached a record available power generation of 6,003 megawatts (MW), surpassing previous highs.
According to a statement signed by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communication to the Honourable Minister of Power, a peak evacuation of 5,801.84 MW and a daily maximum energy output of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh) were recorded, marking substantial progress in meeting the nation’s energy demands.
However, official reports from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) indicate that the actual peak generation achieved was 5,713.6 MW on March 2, 2025, with a daily energy record of 125,542.06 MWh.
The Minister highlighted the importance of strategic reforms and stakeholder collaboration in these achievements, emphasizing the need for continued support to sustain progress and drive further improvements in the sector.
Despite these discrepancies, the sector’s growth reflects ongoing efforts to stabilize electricity supply and boost economic development. The government aims to enhance infrastructure and policy reforms to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Quoting the Minister, Tunji said the recent milestones are the result of concerted efforts by the Federal Ministry of Power, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the sector, to address longstanding challenges and optimize the nation’s power infrastructure.
“These efforts include the rehabilitation and upgrading of transmission and distribution networks, the implementation of innovative technologies, and the introduction of policy reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and accountability”.
According to the statement, the Minister has been at the forefront of these initiatives, driving a comprehensive agenda to transform the sector and ensure that Nigeria achieves its full potential in power generation and distribution.
“His leadership has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between government agencies, private sector players, and international partners, creating an enabling environment for growth and innovation.
“One of the key factors contributing to the recent achievements is the tariff review which has ensured liquidity in the sector and created a more sustainable and investment-friendly environment for the power sector. By ensuring that tariffs reflect the true cost of power generation and distribution, the government is paving the way for increased private sector participation and the mobilization of much-needed capital for infrastructure development”.
According to the Minister, the regularization of tariffs will play a critical role in unlocking the sector’s full potential and driving further improvements in power generation and distribution.
“By the time the tariffs are fully regularized, we will be moving closer to 7,000 MW of available generation capacity. This will mark another significant milestone in our journey towards a stable, reliable, and efficient power sector that meets the needs of all Nigerians”.
In celebrating these achievements, the Minister also called for continued support and collaboration from all stakeholders, including state governments, private sector players, and the general public, and emphasized the importance of collective efforts in sustaining the momentum and ensuring that the gains made in the sector are not only maintained but also built upon.
“We recognize that there is still much work to be done, and we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. The support and cooperation of all stakeholders are critical to sustaining these achievements and driving further progress in the sector. Together, we can build a power sector that serves as a catalyst for Nigeria’s economic growth and development”.
As the nation celebrates these historic achievements, the Honourable Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has reiterated his commitment to delivering on the promises of the administration and ensuring that every Nigerian has access to stable and reliable electricity.
“This is just the beginning. We are determined to build on these achievements and deliver a power sector that meets the aspirations of all Nigerians”, he said.