Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, is reportedly set to resign from his position as he prepares to pursue the Oyo State governorship seat.
The development was disclosed on Tuesday in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, following a meeting between the minister and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Adelabu presented a briefing on his stewardship in the power sector.
The purported move to resign comes exactly 22 days after Adelabu debunked earlier reports claiming he had stepped down from office to contest the Oyo State governorship race.
What they are saying
According to the statement, a key highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and its Strategic Implementation Plan, alongside a review of progress made under Adelabu’s leadership, including efforts to stabilise power generation, improve transmission capacity, and implement reforms across the electricity value chain.
The statement also indicated that the minister is expected to step down from his role.
- “In view of this development, Chief Adebayo Adelabu is expected to resign his position as Minister of Power in the coming days.”
It further noted that the President acknowledged the minister’s contributions to the sector and supported his political ambition.
- “President Tinubu commended the minister for his dedication and the progress recorded, particularly in laying a strong policy foundation for the transformation of the power sector.
- “The President also granted his consent and blessing for the minister to pursue his governorship ambition.”
Get up to speed
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, Tunji dismissed the claims, insisting that the minister remained in office.
- “The news of the minister’s resignation is fake. There is no truth to it,” he said at the time.
While the latest statement suggests that his resignation may now be imminent, noting that the timing is aimed at ensuring continuity in ongoing reforms, it also comes amid recent cabinet changes under the Tinubu administration.
According to a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Wale Edun was relieved of his position as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and replaced by Taiwo Oyedele.
Ahmed Musa Dangiwa was also directed to leave his role as Minister of Housing and Urban Development, with Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD) named as his successor.
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.
These challenges persist despite government claims that reforms have attracted about $2 billion in investments and reduced sector liabilities to N146 billion, raising concerns about the pace and effectiveness of ongoing interventions.
