The Federal Government has announced a steady increase in electricity generation, rising from 3,951 megawatts (MW) to 4,300MW between March 28 and April 10, signaling gradual recovery in Nigeria’s power sector.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
According to Tunji, the improvement aligns with assurances earlier given by the minister during a Power Sector Working Group meeting, where he promised noticeable progress in electricity supply within two weeks.
He attributed the rise in output largely to increased gas supply to thermal power plants, which grew from about 605 million standard cubic feet (mmscfd) to over 704 mmscfd within the same period.
Tunji also noted improvements in system performance, revealing that mechanical availability remained stable, peaking at over 7,796MW in early April, while operational availability increased from approximately 4,208MW to more than 4,694MW. This, he said, reflects better efficiency in converting available gas into electricity.
“In spite of minor fluctuations recorded on some days, the overall trajectory points to a gradual recovery in the power sector, driven largely by improved gas supply and better coordination among critical stakeholders,” he said.
He explained that the strong link between gas supply and electricity generation highlights the need for sustained reforms within the gas-to-power value chain.
To consolidate recent gains, the minister recently inaugurated a Gas-to-Power Monitoring Committee to ensure better coordination, real-time tracking, and consistent gas supply to power generation companies.
“The committee is expected to address bottlenecks in gas delivery, enhance synergy between gas producers and power generation companies, and ultimately guarantee a more stable and reliable electricity supply across the country,” Tunji added.
He assured Nigerians that while progress has been made, more work remains.
“We are not there yet, but we will continue to ensure measurable improvements,” he said.
Meanwhile, Adelabu has tasked the new leadership of the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to improve its internally generated revenue (IGR) and reduce reliance on government funding.
The minister gave the directive during a meeting with the agency’s Managing Director, Olusegun Adesayo, and Board Chairman, Ikechi Nwosu.
He also urged the agency to expand meter testing centres across the country and address manpower shortages, particularly in meter installation.
Adelabu reiterated the need for collaboration between the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria(NAPTIN) and NEMSA to train more installers and help bridge Nigeria’s metering gap.
He added that plans should be put in place to establish meter testing centres in each geopolitical zone, while encouraging the new management to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the agency’s challenges.
The minister expressed confidence in the new leadership, assuring them of his support and stating that the full board would soon be inaugurated.
What you should know
Nigeria’s slight increase in power generation reflects ongoing efforts to stabilise the electricity sector, with gas supply playing a critical role.
Since most of the country’s power comes from gas-fired plants, improvements in gas availability directly boost electricity output. The newly inaugurated Gas-to-Power Monitoring Committee is expected to address long-standing bottlenecks affecting supply.
However, challenges such as infrastructure gaps, funding constraints, and manpower shortages remain key issues.
Sustained reforms and better coordination among stakeholders will be essential to achieving reliable and consistent power supply nationwide.