Nigeria’s power minister, Adelabu finally announces plan to resign

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has officially announced his intention to resign from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet. His spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, confirmed the decision in a statement released on Wednesday morning. The move marks a significant exit from the administration’s economic team.

The Minister is stepping down to pursue his political ambitions in his home state. Tunji clarified that the resignation is intended to allow Adelabu to “explore his gubernatorial aspiration in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 election.” This transition shifts his focus from national infrastructure to regional politics.

Adelabu’s tenure was marked by significant challenges and public dissatisfaction within the energy sector. Despite a controversial electricity tariff hike implemented in April 2024, the nation continued to struggle with a failed power grid. Critics have frequently pointed to the lack of tangible improvements during his leadership.

Throughout recent months, Nigerians have faced a persistent and inadequate supply of electricity. While Adelabu acknowledged these systemic failures at various public forums, he was often criticized for failing to provide actionable solutions. The gap between policy announcements and stable power remained a point of national frustration.

The Minister’s departure comes amid unfulfilled infrastructure targets and unmet energy goals. Although he famously promised to deliver 6,000 megawatts of electricity by the end of last year, the country’s output stagnated between 2,500MW and 3,500MW. This output remains insufficient for a population exceeding 250 million people.

Formal proceedings for his exit are expected to be finalized shortly to facilitate his campaign launch. As Tunji stated: “In view of this development, Chief Adebayo Adelabu is expected to resign his position as minister of power in the coming days.”