Minister of Power, Adedayo Adelabu.

Minister of Power Adedayo Adelabu has announced that approximately 150 million Nigerians now have access to electricity, marking a significant step in the country’s energy development. However, he stressed that the main challenge remains the reliability and affordability of power supply.

Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Sectoral Update Conference in Abuja on Thursday, Adelabu attributed the progress to Nigeria’s involvement in the World Bank and African Development Bank’s “Mission 300” initiative. The initiative aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030, with Nigeria expected to account for at least 25 per percent—about 75 million people.

“Nigeria, with a population of over 240 million, already provides electricity access to 150 million. But 80 million still lack adequate power,” he said.

Adelabu emphasised that access is not enough without consistency and affordability, which define the reliability of electricity. He called on international financiers to support not only off-grid renewable energy solutions, which serve rural areas, but also efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s power grid to meet urban and industrial needs.

“The national grid must be strengthened, or else more companies will continue to opt out and generate their own power,” he warned.

Adelabu’s remarks underline the need for a balanced approach that includes both rural electrification through renewables and robust infrastructure investment to support industries and urban populations.