Persistent blackouts across Nigerian states have intensified calls for the removal of the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Over the past four months, electricity supply has remained erratic, with generation levels fluctuating between 2,000 and 4,000 megawatts— far below the needs of a population exceeding 250 million. As of March 29, 2026, electricity distribution companies received just 2,855 megawatts, highlighting the scale of the shortfall.

Electricity distribution companies (Discos) have attributed the situation to reduced generation, while generation companies (Gencos) blame gas supply constraints linked to mounting debts reportedly exceeding N4 trillion.

The crisis has left households and businesses struggling with unreliable power supply nationwide.

Amid public outcry, Adelabu recently apologized to Nigerians, acknowledging the sector’s challenges.

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, speaking at the All Progressives Congress convention, said the creation of Grid Asset Management Company, GAMCO, is a potential solution to address the sector’s financial and structural issues.

“Many of you are lamenting the problem of electricity; we are paying attention to it. The GAMCO will inject 150,000 MW into the electricity corridors,” he said.

However, many Nigerians argue that apologies and policy proposals are no longer sufficient, demanding immediate and tangible improvements.

Calls for Adelabu’s resignation intensify

Speaking to DAILY POST, Eze Onyekpere, lead director of the Centre for Social Justice, called for Adelabu’s immediate removal, describing his performance as disappointing.

Onyekpere criticized the minister for lacking direction and innovation, insisting that his continued stay in office offers no value to the sector.

He also reminded President Tinubu of his campaign promise to improve electricity supply.

According to him, the current realities in the power sector fall far short of expectations, stressing that leadership in such a critical sector requires clear vision and decisive action.

He maintained that Adelabu should either resign or be relieved of his duties, emphasizing that broader reforms and competent leadership are ultimately more important than a mere change of personnel.

“He (President Tinubu) told us that if he doesn’t revive electricity sector, we should not vote for him for a second time.

“The minister (Adelabu) is a failure. And the unfortunate thing is that he wants to go and govern. He has no agenda for the power sector.

“He should either resign or get sacked.

“He’s got no ideas. No innovation,” Onyekpere told DAILY POST.

Governance failure, not ministerial incompetence — Prof. Wumi

In contrast, Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics, Wumi Iledare, in an interview with DAILY POST, argued that the crisis is rooted in systemic governance failures rather than the competence of the minister.

Iledare argued that blaming Adelabu would not address the underlying structural issues plaguing the sector.

According to him, “The problem of the power sector in Nigeria, in my opinion, is governance, not the competence of the minister of power.”

He maintained that the federal government bears responsibility for the current challenges and should revisit the original framework of the power sector privatization.

“The government is at fault, and they have to go back and re-establish the original privatization scheme that was put in place,” he said.

The energy expert expressed concern that similar policy missteps could spill into the oil and gas industry if not urgently addressed.

“I’m actually worried that the oil and gas sector may end up the way the power sector ended up.

“Some of the things the government is doing are not properly put in the posterity mode,” he warned.

Iledare further criticized the foundation of the privatization process, claiming it was designed to create wealthy individuals rather than capable investors.

“The privatization of the power sector was based on creating millionaires, not businessmen and businesswomen,” he stated, adding that the lack of proper metering and accountability reflects weak investor commitment.

Solution to power sector conundrum

On solutions, Iledare advocated for decentralizing the electricity market into regional systems, where states collaborate rather than operate in isolation.

He also called for stronger institutional frameworks and better coordination within the Ministry of Power.

While acknowledging limited progress in some agencies, he stressed that lasting reform depends on strengthening institutions rather than focusing on individuals.

“What we had in mind when we were calling for decentralization is a regional market — a coming together of states, not necessarily standing alone.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that the minister has to resign to address the issue. It wouldn’t make any difference.

“The professionals in the ministry, in my opinion, are to be blamed. The minister has to coordinate them. There is just a misunderstanding between institutional power and individual power.

“It’s the ministry of power that they should be calling, not the minister in charge,” he told DAILY POST.