Power Sector Issues and Inconsistencies Intensify Demands for Minister Adelabu’s Dismissal

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu’s recent contradictions on the transfer of electricity regulatory oversight to the state has added to his collection of flops.

The development has further heightened calls for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack Adelabu ahead of his one-year anniversary in office on May 29, 2024.

Recall that Adelabu announced last Friday at the 8th Edition of Africa Energy Market Place in Abuja the suspension of the state government’s electricity regulatory oversight.

The announcement represents an open fight against the 2023 Electricity Act.

Adelabu spoke at the two-day stakeholders’ workshop organized by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, in Lagos.

Explaining his latest stance, Adelabu said the federal government would not go against the 2023 Electricity Act.

“The grant of regulatory autonomy to states is a provision of the new Act, and no one person can single-handedly go against the Act.

“It’s a provision of the law and no law-abiding officer of the state will want to go against the law. It is already included, and it must be duly respected,” he said.

In April, the NERC transferred oversight of the electricity market to Enugu, Ekiti, and Ondo states.

The development kicked off the decentralization of Nigeria’s power sector.

Under the plan, states control the entire generation, transmission and distribution sector value chain.

But this is the first time the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry is witnessing structural change.

The privatization of 2013 espoused similar hope. However, over ten years later, the hope has been dashed. The Minister’s flip-flop comments may have worsened the situation.