The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians that electricity supply will be fully restored within 24 to 48 hours, following a temporary drop in power generation caused by gas supply disruptions.
Adelabu’s assurance comes after the National Independent System Operator (NISO) confirmed a decline in electricity generation nationwide, triggered by a pipeline explosion and vandalism affecting gas supply to several thermal power plants.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, the minister said urgent steps are being taken to stabilise the national grid and return power supply to normal levels.
“The recent decline in electricity supply is temporary and is directly linked to acute gas supply constraints. The situation is expected to be resolved within the next 24 to 48 hours,” the statement said.
NISO disclosed that the incident led to reduced output at gas-fired power stations, resulting in a shortfall in available electricity to consumers. However, it confirmed that the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC) has assured that repair works on the vandalised pipelines are nearing completion.
Yuletide Demand
The minister reiterated his commitment to swift restoration during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in Abuja. The meeting involved representatives of NISO, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), power generation companies, and distribution companies.
Given the surge in electricity demand during the Yuletide season, Adelabu stressed the urgency of restoring gas supply and ramping up generation capacity.
Stakeholders at the meeting confirmed that repairs would be completed within the projected timeline, prompting the minister to direct all relevant agencies to ensure strict compliance.
Cause and Long-Term Measures
Preliminary findings linked the disruption to the ELP explosion and acts of vandalism in the Niger Delta, which significantly reduced gas supply to power plants and caused a sharp drop in national generation levels.
While acknowledging the inconvenience caused to households and businesses, Adelabu reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s resolve to address the issue swiftly.
“We understand the frustration this has caused Nigerians, but we are working around the clock to restore normal power supply,” he said.
The minister added that beyond immediate repairs, the government is accelerating long-term solutions to diversify the energy mix, strengthen grid resilience, and deploy advanced surveillance systems to protect critical infrastructure.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient and vigilant, encouraging communities to report suspicious activities around power and gas facilities, stressing that safeguarding national infrastructure is a shared responsibility.
