The Electricity Consumer Protection Advocacy Centre (ECPAC) has voiced strong opposition to the Ministry of Power’s recent assertion that over 40% of Nigerians now enjoy up to 20 hours of daily power supply. Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu made this claim on Sunday, attributing the improvements to reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
While Adelabu reported significant advancements in Nigeria’s electricity generation, citing over 5,500 megawatts of power generated, ECPAC’s Executive Director, Chief Princewill Okorie, dismissed the claims as “laughable.” He criticized the lack of credible data supporting the minister’s statistics, questioning the absence of reports from Nigeria’s 36 states and the need for comprehensive data collection from local governments.
Okorie proposed that the Ministry of Power establish a consumer protection department to accurately track electricity supply, arguing that the government should focus on addressing consumer complaints rather than issuing misleading reports.
Adelabu also highlighted ongoing infrastructure improvements and the recent signing of the Electricity Act of 2023, which aims to decentralize and liberalize the sector. He noted that installed generation capacity has increased from 13,000 MW to over 14,000 MW due to new hydroelectric projects and upgrades.
Despite the minister’s optimistic outlook, consumer advocates are unconvinced, insisting on more direct engagement with electricity users to understand their real experiences. They call for transparent, real-time data and effective solutions rather than mere announcements.
In addressing the critical need for stable electricity, Adelabu emphasized that reliable power supply is fundamental for economic growth, drawing comparisons with developed nations that have successfully industrialized due to consistent electricity availability. He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to providing stable electricity for households, businesses, and institutions, with ongoing initiatives like the Presidential Metering Initiative aimed at installing over 10 million meters in five years.
