Author: Dare Olawin
Nationwide Blackouts Continue as National Power Grid Collapses Again Electricity consumers across Nigeria are expressing frustration at the repeated collapse of the national power grid, causing widespread blackouts and disruptions. The grid collapsed on Saturday morning for the third time in a week, leading to a significant drop in power generation. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had promised to increase power generation to 6,000 megawatts by the end of the year, but ongoing grid failures are jeopardizing this target. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has not provided clear explanations for the collapses, leaving consumers in the dark, literally…
The Energy Crisis in Nigeria: A Struggle for Affordability Energy has become unaffordable to average Nigerians who now seek other unhealthy means to cope with life exigencies, even as the government insists on subsidy removal President Bola Tinubu’s administration has seen a rise in energy costs since May 2023, leading to energy poverty for many vulnerable Nigerians. The removal of the petrol subsidy resulted in a drastic increase in fuel prices, causing hardships for the citizens. The devaluation of the Naira by the Federal Government further exacerbated the situation, affecting the cost of imported petroleum products. Despite efforts to alleviate…
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, highlighted the need for multiple power grids in different regions or states to avoid recurrent grid collapses in Nigeria. Speaking at the unveiling of Hexing Livoltek, an electricity meter manufacturing company in Lagos, Adelabu emphasized the inevitability of grid collapses due to the dismal state of the country’s power infrastructure. He advocated for the decentralization of the power sector to facilitate the creation of grids in each region as prescribed by the Electricity Act signed by President Bola Tinubu in 2023. Addressing the issue of grid collapse, Adelabu underscored the importance of substantial investments…
Are you ready for a possible electricity tariff increase? Customers on Band A feeders might need to prepare themselves as the electricity subsidy shortfall has risen significantly. The subsidy, paid by the Federal Government, soared to N181.63bn in September from N102.30bn in May. In April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission announced the removal of subsidy for Band A feeders, leading to a tariff increase to N225 per kilowatt-hour. This decision faced backlash from Nigerians, including labor unions and education institutions, as their bills tripled. The subsidy figure fluctuated monthly, fueling speculations of more tariff increases in the future. Factors like…
The Federal Government is taking steps to address the issue of national grid collapses by planning to build a super grid. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, announced this development during the China-Africa Cooperation Summit, citing the current grid’s inadequacy in supporting the power sector’s vision. Former Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji, had previously advocated for a super grid to prevent grid failures due to poor structuring. He highlighted the need for a robust transmission network to support high-capacity plants like the Manbilla Power Plant, which is currently underutilized due to infrastructure limitations. The super grid project, set to be a…
Federal Government approves 50% electricity subsidy for hospitals The Federal Government has granted a 50% subsidy for electricity consumed in hospitals nationwide, following a commitment by Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. This initiative extends to hospitals and universities, even those on Band-A feeders, aiming to reduce operational costs and benefit patients. Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, confirmed the approval of the subsidy for public hospitals. He disclosed this during the unveiling of electronic health records and alternative power sources at the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Kaduna. Adelabu, addressing the issue in Ibadan, clarified that…
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Unveils Plan for Prepaid Electricity Meters Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced a revolutionary plan for electricity consumers regarding prepaid meters. He clarified that customers receiving free meters will have up to 10 years to repay the cost, contradicting previous claims of refunds through energy credit. Adelabu addressed funding challenges, stating that the Federal Government will finance the meter procurement through various initiatives, allowing customers to pay back over time. He explained the seamless process, ensuring minimal impact on consumers. With N100 billion raised for prepaid meter procurement, including support from the World…
In a bid to close the meter gap in Nigeria, the Federal Government and states have raised N100bn for the procurement of prepaid electricity meters under the Presidential Meter Initiative program. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, highlighted the importance of metering to ensure transparency and address issues of estimated billing by power distribution companies. Adelabu emphasized the self-inflicted problem of over 7 million meter gap in Nigeria and discussed the government’s efforts to bridge this gap through various initiatives. The World Bank has also pledged support for the procurement of almost two million meters in the next two years through…
NNPC Denies Tinubu’s Involvement in OVH Acquisition The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has clarified that President Bola Tinubu and Mr Wale Tinubu of Oando Plc have no interest in the acquisition of OVH by NNPC. This statement comes in response to claims made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe. According to Atiku’s statement, President Tinubu was accused of influencing the acquisition of NNPC Retail Ltd by OVH, where Wale Tinubu allegedly holds a stake. However, NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye emphasized that all investment decisions are based on commercial viability and national interest. Soneye clarified that…
Empowering Nigeria with Stable Power Supply The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, expressed concern over the trend of bulk electricity consumers opting for captive power plants instead of the national grid. Despite a record generation of 5,155MW, many industries and consumers are still off the grid due to past issues. Addressing the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company Board retreat in Lagos, Adelabu highlighted the reliability and cost-effectiveness of grid connection compared to captive power. Efforts are underway to encourage consumers to return to the grid for a more affordable power source. Adelabu outlined ambitious targets to increase power generation, aiming…