₦8bn Allocation for Power Security, Not Electricity Bill Sensitisation — Adelabu
Kehinde Fajobi
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has reaffirmed his commitment to stabilising electricity supply in Nigeria, while clarifying the purpose of an ₦8 billion allocation in the Ministry of Power’s 2025 budget.
Adelabu, who faced criticism over claims that the funds were for sensitising citizens to pay electricity bills, described the reports as baseless.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, the minister explained that the allocation is for advocacy against vandalism, public enlightenment, and deploying technology to protect power infrastructure.
“Far from what is being circulated, the Federal Government is deeply concerned about the acts of sabotage that have eroded the gains in electricity supply,”
Adelabu said. “The ₦8bn budget allocation is targeted at sensitising Nigerians to protect and take ownership of national power assets.”
The minister cited a rise in vandalism, including recent cases in Abuja where underground cables were destroyed, disrupting electricity in parts of the city.
The advocacy campaign will include town hall meetings, engagement with community leaders, and media outreach through radio, television, newspapers, and social media.
Adelabu added that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects will be implemented in communities hosting power installations, alongside collaborations with local hunters and security personnel to safeguard infrastructure.
He revealed that repairing vandalised power assets costs billions, highlighting the ₦9 billion spent last year by the Transmission Company of Nigeria to restore the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna line damaged by terrorists.
On grid improvements, Adelabu stated that the Siemens power project’s first phase is 95% complete, with eight power transformers and five mobile substations installed in various states.
The second phase will include the construction of 14 brownfield substations and 20 greenfield substations. Additionally, SCADA upgrades are ongoing to enhance grid management and reduce collapses.
“When this administration took over, power generation was stagnant at around 4,000 megawatts. Since then, we have added over 1,000 megawatts, reaching a three-year high of 5,528MW,” Adelabu said.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to making electricity a fundamental right for all Nigerians, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s campaign promises.
“Nigeria cannot afford to lag in the global energy transition. We are determined to address these issues and provide efficient, effective, and uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians,” Adelabu concluded.