Nigerians have been hit hard by rising petrol prices, with the cost of a litre surpassing ₦1000 in some regions. Despite this, the country has not experienced widespread protests or outcry over the steep price hikes. According to Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, the reason for this calm may be the significant improvement in electricity supply across the country.
Speaking at a conference in Abuja on Tuesday, October 15, Adelabu said that the government’s efforts to stabilize the power grid are beginning to pay off. Nigerians, he argued, are no longer as dependent on petrol to run their generators, which has been a common practice for years due to frequent power outages.
“People don’t need to buy petrol as much as they used to, just to have electricity,” Adelabu explained. “That’s why the noise about the high petrol price is not as loud as one would expect.”
For decades, many Nigerians have relied heavily on petrol-powered generators to meet their electricity needs. In urban and rural areas alike, households and businesses frequently turn to generators when the national power grid fails to deliver a steady supply of electricity.
With the price of petrol now over ₦1000 per litre in some areas, these generators have become increasingly expensive to operate. However, the Minister of Power says the need for generators is gradually diminishing as the government works to increase the capacity and reliability of the national grid.
“Imagine if people still had to run their generators with petrol at ₦1000 per litre,” Adelabu said. “The complaints would be much louder.”
Adelabu highlighted that as power generation improves, Nigerians are gradually shifting away from their dependence on generators. He even referenced a bold policy from Lagos State, which aims to replace one million generators in one year. The Minister expressed hope that similar initiatives could be implemented nationwide to fully phase out generator usage.
Despite the positive tone, Adelabu did not shy away from addressing Nigeria’s long-standing struggles with power generation. He noted that the country has only added 2000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid over the last 40 years, a slow pace of development given the country’s growing population, now estimated at over 200 million.
“When we look at our power sector performance, it’s sobering,” Adelabu admitted. “We are celebrating the achievement of a 5000MW milestone, but the reality is that this only happened after 40 years of adding just 2000MW. That is why I often say this is not something I like to remember.”
Nigeria’s national grid has long been plagued by underperformance and breakdowns. Power cuts are frequent, and many areas across the country still suffer from inconsistent supply. The government has been working to address this by upgrading infrastructure, boosting generation capacity, and seeking private sector involvement in the energy sector.
When the current administration came into office, Adelabu explained, the country’s power generation was hovering around 4000MW. In recent months, it has risen to an average of 5000MW, with a peak of 5,527MW recorded in early September 2024.
While power supply may be improving, the high cost of petrol still weighs heavily on Nigerians. In Lagos, petrol prices jumped from ₦868 per litre to ₦968 in just one week, with prices in other regions exceeding ₦1000 per litre. This increase has led to higher transportation costs, food prices, and other essential household expenses.
Nigerians have faced multiple fuel price hikes over the past year, largely due to the removal of fuel subsidies and the fluctuating exchange rate of the naira. For many, these price hikes have made daily life more difficult, with transportation fares and the cost of basic goods rising sharply.
However, Minister Adelabu believes that improved electricity can help ease the burden by reducing the need for petrol to power generators. If homes and businesses can rely on the grid for their electricity needs, they will no longer have to spend large amounts of money on fuel to keep their lights on.
“Power is a key factor in daily life,” Adelabu said. “By reducing the dependence on petrol for electricity, we are helping to shield Nigerians from the full impact of the fuel price hikes.”
Adelabu’s remarks also pointed to the government’s long-term vision of phasing out the use of petrol generators across the country. With more reliable power generation, Nigerians will eventually have no need for generators, which are not only costly but also harmful to the environment due to their carbon emissions.
The Minister expressed support for Lagos State’s ambitious policy to replace one million generators in a year. This initiative, if successful, could pave the way for other states to follow suit. Adelabu acknowledged that while the transition may take time, the government is determined to achieve this goal.
“We must replace all the generators,” Adelabu said. “This will not only help in reducing petrol consumption but also in protecting our environment.”
While Nigeria still has a long way to go in achieving energy independence, the recent improvements in power generation provide some hope for the future. Adelabu remains optimistic that the country can build on the progress it has made in recent months and continue to expand its power capacity.
He stressed the importance of private sector involvement in achieving this goal, pointing out that the government cannot tackle the country’s energy challenges alone. Nigeria’s energy infrastructure requires significant investment, both in terms of generation capacity and the transmission network that delivers electricity to consumers.
By involving the private sector, the government hopes to attract the funding and expertise needed to expand the grid and ensure a more stable electricity supply for all Nigerians.
While the road ahead is long, the minister’s vision of a generator-free future signals a shift towards a more sustainable and affordable energy system for Nigerians.
“The best time to start fixing our power problems was 40 years ago,” Adelabu concluded. “But the next best time is today, and we are fully committed to making the changes Nigeria needs.”
