Roadmap to Power Sector Stability, Nigeria Needs $10 Billion Annually To Fix Power Sector – Minister Adelabu

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has declared that Nigeria requires a massive $10 billion investment annually over the next 10 to 20 years to resolve the country’s persistent power crisis. Speaking on Monday at the commissioning ceremony of a 600kW Phase 1 Solar PV Power Plant at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna, the Minister described the situation as “herculean but achievable.”

According to Adelabu, the figure is necessary to fund infrastructure upgrades, expand generation and transmission capacities, close the metering gap, and decentralize power delivery across all levels of government.

“For us to achieve functional, reliable, and stable electricity in Nigeria, we need not less than $10 billion annually for the next ten to twenty years,” he said.

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Policy and Legislative Foundations Now in Place

Adelabu explained that before such a large-scale investment can yield meaningful results, foundational issues that have hindered progress in the past must first be addressed. Chief among these, he said, was the lack of enabling legislation and cohesive national policy.

“The first bottleneck was legislative and policy misalignment,” the Minister noted. “This administration has now resolved that by signing the Energy Bill into law. The new act allows for decentralization of the power sector. It gives states and local governments legal and moral authority to generate, transmit, distribute, and meter power for their people.”

He emphasized that over 11 states have already taken advantage of this legal shift, with more expected to follow, paving the way for more localized power initiatives and off-grid solutions.

Addressing Infrastructure Deficit and Metering Gap

The Minister also pointed to Nigeria’s longstanding infrastructure deficit, especially in the transmission grid, as a major hurdle to power sector reform.

“We are dealing with a system that has suffered neglect for 60 years—no maintenance, no additional investment, and a transmission grid that’s overstretched and outdated,” he lamented.

To tackle Nigeria’s metering challenges, Adelabu revealed that the Presidential Initiative on Metering is targeting the installation of 18 million meters over the next five years. This effort aims to close the over 50 percent metering gap, which continues to undermine revenue collection and consumer trust in the electricity supply chain.

Powering National Development Through Renewable Energy

Addressing military officers and stakeholders gathered at the NDA, Adelabu praised the commissioning of the 600kW and 3MW Solar PV Power Plants as not just a step forward in renewable energy but a symbol of national development and resilience.

“These projects underscore our commitment to improving electrification across key institutions in Nigeria,” the Minister stated. “They are also part of our broader mandate to diversify energy sources and expand access to clean and reliable electricity.”

He added that electrifying the Nigerian Defence Academy using renewable energy supports both security and sustainability, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes universal energy access as a cornerstone of accelerated national development.

Military Collaboration and Infrastructure Protection

Adelabu commended the Nigerian military for its critical role in safeguarding power infrastructure, highlighting the growing threat of vandalism and targeted attacks on energy sector personnel.

“Our efforts to deliver stable electricity would be significantly constrained without the military’s support,” Adelabu said. “Given the rising cases of vandalism and attacks, your role is becoming even more indispensable.”

However, the Minister did not shy away from addressing recent tensions, referencing a regrettable incident involving military personnel and Ikeja Electric staff. He urged both sectors to work in mutual respect and understanding, calling the relationship “a partnership, not an opposition.”

NDA Welcomes Partnership and Commits to Synergy

In his remarks, the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Abdul Ibrahim, expressed appreciation for the Ministry of Power’s initiative. He reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to working in synergy with the federal government to support its energy agenda.

“We are delighted by this development,” the Commandant said. “As a strategic national institution, energy efficiency and reliability are key to our operations. We pledge our cooperation in sustaining and protecting these assets.”

A Long Road Ahead, But With Renewed Determination

Minister Adelabu’s comments reflect a deep awareness of the scale of investment, coordination, and reform required to transform Nigeria’s power sector. With over 60 years of underinvestment, growing demand, and an outdated grid, the path ahead is complex. Yet, with clear legislative frameworks, decentralized authority, and critical partnerships with institutions like the military, the government believes the long-term goal of reliable electricity for all Nigerians is attainable.

As Nigeria embarks on this 20-year journey to energy stability, projects like the NDA’s solar plant represent the first steps in what promises to be a defining chapter in the country’s power reform history.