Minister of Power Highlights Insecurity and Funding as Key Issues for National Grid Stability

In a recent address before the Senate Committee on Power, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, outlined critical challenges facing the nation’s electricity infrastructure, particularly focusing on the recurring collapses of the National Grid. He attributed the instability directly to the unrepaired Ugwachi-Bauchi-Makurdi transmission line, which has been left vulnerable due to ongoing security issues in the northern regions.

Adelabu emphasized that until the repair on this vital line is executed, grid collapses would persist, stating, “The inability to fix the damaged line due to insecurity is putting undue pressure on existing infrastructure and has made the grid fragile.” He highlighted the age and inefficiencies of the current grid, suggesting a comprehensive overhaul is necessary for stability and efficiency.

Contrary to some media reports, the Minister clarified that in 2024, the grid experienced eight collapses, with five being full and three partial, rather than the claimed twelve. He explained that three of these full collapses were due to generation issues, while the remaining two were linked to acts of vandalism.

The Minister also discussed the ministry’s budget performance for 2024, claiming a 50-55% achievement rate, with expectations to reach 80% by June 2025. For the 2025 budget, he advocated for increased funding, particularly for agencies like the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which currently lacks direct appropriations. This financial constraint, according to Adelabu, significantly hampers the completion of over a hundred ongoing projects, some of which are 30-36% complete.

He proposed specific allocations within the budget for various sectors of power infrastructure:

Federal Ministry’s Intervention: N25 billion for completing priority TCN projects.
Grid Stability and Distribution: N36 billion aimed at enhancing distribution infrastructure, particularly transformers and poles.
Rural Electrification: N30 billion for solar energy and rural street lighting under the “Renewed Hope Light up Rural Areas” program.
Emergency Interventions: N10 billion for immediate response to infrastructure vandalism.

Adelabu’s presentation underscored a critical call for security improvements in the north and increased budgetary allocations to address the structural and financial challenges plaguing Nigeria’s power sector. His remarks reflect a plea for collaborative action between the government, security agencies, and financial stakeholders to bolster the nation’s electricity supply stability.