Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has called for the establishment of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to drive unified reforms across Nigeria’s power, gas and allied sectors, as he formally resigned from office.
Adelabu tendered his resignation in a letter dated April 22, 2026, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that it will take effect from April 30, 2026, to allow for a smooth transition. His exit is linked to his intention to contest the Oyo State governorship election.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, the former minister emphasised that sustaining progress in the energy sector requires stronger coordination at the highest level of government. He proposed the creation of a central authority to harmonise policies and ensure effective implementation across interconnected sectors.
Adelabu expressed appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as a privilege and a chance to contribute to national development. He noted that his decision to step down aligns with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which bars serving political officeholders from contesting elections.
Reflecting on his time in office, Adelabu highlighted key milestones, including the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralised the power sector and improved the investment climate. He said peak power generation rose to over 6,000 megawatts, supported by the integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the rehabilitation of thermal plants. Transmission capacity also improved through grid upgrades under the Presidential Power Initiative.
In the distribution segment, he cited gains such as stronger regulatory oversight, improved revenue collection, and efforts to reduce technical and commercial losses. He added that initiatives like the Presidential Metering Programme and the World Bank-backed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme helped accelerate progress in closing the metering gap.
On the financial side, Adelabu said tariff reforms and a N4 trillion debt restructuring programme boosted market revenues from N1 trillion in 2023 to N2.3 trillion in 2025, restoring investor confidence and improving sector viability.
Despite these achievements, he acknowledged ongoing challenges, including gas supply constraints, infrastructure vandalism, and the need for full commercialisation of the electricity value chain. To address these issues, he recommended cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies, recapitalisation of distribution companies, expanded metering, sustained transmission investments, and stronger regulatory enforcement.
Central to his recommendations is the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to ensure synergy across power, gas, water resources and environmental sectors. According to him, such a structure would improve gas supply for thermal generation, optimise hydroelectric resources, and accelerate renewable energy deployment.
Adelabu reiterated his commitment to a seamless handover process and again thanked the President for his support during his tenure.
His resignation marks a significant political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to rejoin the governorship race.