Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has formally tendered his resignation from office.
The development was disclosed in a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which was routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Adelabu’s resignation comes hours after Nairametrics reported that the minister was set to step down from his position.
What Adebayo Adelabu is saying
In the letter, the minister said he had formally notified the President of his decision to step down, while making provisions for a smooth transition.
- “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
He explained that his decision was driven by his intention to focus on his political ambition in Oyo State.
- “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
Adelabu also expressed appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve. He described his appointment as a privilege and noted that it was an honour to contribute to national development and reforms in the power sector.
Backstory
For weeks, there had been speculation surrounding Adelabu’s resignation. Recall that on March 31, the deadline set by President Tinubu for ministers seeking elective office to resign, reports had emerged that Adelabu had stepped down.
However, in the early hours of April 1, his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, dismissed the claims, insisting that the minister remained in office.
In another statement issued on Tuesday, April 21, Tunji disclosed that Adelabu would resign following a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the minister presented a briefing on his stewardship in the power sector.
What you should know
Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was appointed Minister of Power by President Tinubu to drive reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector, a critical component of the country’s economic development.
However, more than two years into his tenure, the sector continues to face persistent challenges, including recurring power outages and grid instability.
- On January 23, 2026, the national grid recorded its first collapse of the year, followed by another incident just five days later, plunging large parts of the country into darkness.
- Similar disruptions were recorded throughout 2025, including major collapses in December, September, and March.
In 2024, the grid reportedly collapsed at least 12 times, underscoring the fragility of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.
