The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has resigned from his position to focus on his ambition to contest the Oyo State governorship election.
His resignation was conveyed in a letter dated April 22, 2026, addressed to President Bola Tinubu, with effect from April 30, 2026.
The letter, submitted through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that the decision was to ensure a smooth transition in the ministry.
Adelabu, in the correspondence, said he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude,” noting that the move would allow for an orderly handover of responsibilities.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector,” he said.
The former minister said his decision was driven by his long-standing governorship ambition in Oyo State, which dates back to 2016 during his tenure as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He recalled resigning from the apex bank in 2018 to pursue the same political goal.
Adelabu also cited the provisions of the amended Electoral Act 2026, which restrict serving political office holders from contesting elections.
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time,” he said.
Reflecting on his time in office since 2023, Adelabu said the power sector had recorded measurable progress despite longstanding structural challenges.
He noted that electricity generation rose from between 3,500 and 4,500 megawatts to over 6,000 megawatts, supported by reforms such as the Electricity Act 2023 and key infrastructure upgrades.
According to him, improvements were also recorded in transmission capacity, revenue collection, and metering, with over one million meters procured under government-backed initiatives.
He added that tariff reforms and a N4tn debt restructuring programme had boosted market revenue from N1tn in 2023 to N2.3tn in 2025, restoring investor confidence in the sector.
“Serving in the power sector has been a unique and rewarding experience,” Adelabu said, adding that the exposure had equipped him with insights for governance, particularly in infrastructure and public sector reforms.
Despite the gains, he acknowledged lingering challenges, including gas supply constraints, infrastructure vandalism, and the need for full commercialisation of the sector.
Adelabu urged the government to sustain reforms through cost-reflective tariffs, improved regulation of distribution companies, accelerated metering, and increased investment in transmission infrastructure.
He also recommended stronger coordination across the energy sector, including the possible appointment of a coordinating minister to align power, gas, and related sectors.
The minister expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as one of the most significant chapters of his public life.
“I remain profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve my fatherland,” he added.
