The Federal Government has announced that electricity generation increased from 3,951 megawatts (MW) to 4,300MW between March 28 and April 10, driven by improved gas supply to power plants.
This was disclosed by Mr Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser to the Minister of Power on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
He noted that the improvement aligns with the assurance earlier given by the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, that electricity supply would improve within two weeks.
Over the past few months, Nigeria has experienced persistent power outages, largely linked to inadequate gas supply to generation companies due to mounting debt owed to gas suppliers.
What they are saying
Tunji explained that the recent increase in power generation was driven by a steady rise in gas supply to thermal power plants, which grew from about 605 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) to over 704 mmscfd within the period.
He added that mechanical availability remained stable and even improved, peaking at over 7,796MW in early April, while operational availability rose from about 4,208MW to a peak of over 4,694MW, indicating improved efficiency in converting gas into electricity.
While acknowledging fluctuations, he noted that the overall trend reflects a recovery in the sector.
- “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.
To sustain the gains, Tunji said the minister recently inaugurated a Gas-to-Power Monitoring Committee to strengthen coordination and ensure consistent gas supply.
- “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,” he said.
More insights
Tunji further stated that the minister has tasked the new management of the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) with improving its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and reducing reliance on government funding for operations.
He also urged the agency to expand meter testing centres nationwide to strengthen its regulatory role, while calling for increased collaboration with the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) to address the shortage of skilled meter installers.
- “We need to ensure more installers are trained in order to accelerate the government’s plan to bridge the meter gap in the country,” the minister said.
Adelabu also expressed confidence in the agency’s new leadership and assured them of full support, noting that the board would soon be fully inaugurated.
What you should know
The marginal increase in power generation comes two weeks after President Bola Tinubu approved a N3.3 trillion payment plan to settle longstanding debts in Nigeria’s power sector under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme.
- The settlement is expected to cover debts accumulated over a 10-year period and will be implemented in phases to ensure transparency and accountability.
However, the move has raised concerns among Nigerians, many of whom argue that similar funds have been released in the past without significant improvements in power supply.
Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, questioned the approval, describing it as a repeated pattern of debt settlements. He noted that on May 17, 2024, N3.3 trillion was approved for the same purpose, followed by another N4 trillion bond approved on July 25, 2024, to address similar liabilities.
