Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has appealed for a more comprehensive understanding of the structural issues currently affecting Nigeria’s electricity sector.
In a recent statement, Tunji urged the public to move beyond individual criticisms of the Minister and instead consider the systemic bottlenecks hindering power stability.
Tunji highlighted the significant economic impact of delays in the release of capital project funds within the 2025 budget.
He emphasized that capital expenditure serves as a vital economic driver. When contractors are paid for infrastructure projects, the resulting spending injects liquidity into the broader economy and supports job creation.
He noted that the Ministry of Power is not alone in facing these funding constraints, as other government ministries are experiencing similar fiscal challenges.
Addressing the current decline in power supply, Tunji clarified that the Ministry of Power does not directly oversee gas production.
He attributed the recent drop in electricity generation to a severe shortage of gas supplied to thermal power plants.
Industry data supports this, with the Nigerian Independent System Operator reporting that thermal plants, which form the backbone of the national grid, have been receiving less than 43% of their required gas volume due to supply bottlenecks, payment disputes, and infrastructure limitations.
Tunji argued that a larger-picture approach is necessary to appreciate the complexity of these challenges.
He cautioned that focusing solely on personalities ignores the deep-seated fiscal and structural issues that require coordinated efforts across multiple government sectors to resolve.