In a decisive move to prevent the shutdown of electricity generation across the country, the Federal Government has pledged to settle at least N2 trillion out of the N4 trillion owed to power generation companies (GenCos) before the end of 2025.
Speaking during the sixth edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series in Abuja on Thursday, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed that the debt—mostly inherited from previous administrations—would be paid through a combination of cash and promissory notes.
The minister noted that the decision follows threats by GenCos to halt power production due to mounting unpaid invoices. “We are committed to settling N2 trillion this year to stabilize the sector and ensure continued generation,” Adelabu said.
He also addressed the recent hike in electricity tariffs, stressing that the adjustment was necessary to sustain the power sector and improve service delivery—not to punish consumers or favour distribution companies.
“The subsidy we are currently managing is a rollover from previous years, including 2024. We are not fabricating numbers, and our goal remains clear—to make power affordable and accessible to all Nigerians,” Adelabu stated.
The Minister urged electricity consumers to report any Distribution Companies (DisCos) found demanding payments while under-delivering on the stipulated power supply bands, promising swift action against erring firms.
Highlighting recent achievements, Adelabu revealed that Nigeria hit a historic power generation peak of 6,003 megawatts on March 25, 2025, the highest in the nation’s history. This milestone was followed by the evacuation of 5,801.44 megawatts and a record 128,370.75 megawatt-hours of daily energy output on March 4.
He added that the average daily generation for the first quarter of 2025 stands at 5,700 MW, a significant jump from 4,100 MW in Q3 2023, representing a 40% increase in less than two years.
Adelabu credited the progress to strategic reforms and interventions by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), which restored 232.5 megawatts of previously idle capacity and executed critical transmission projects across the country.
“These numbers are not just statistics—they signify jobs created, livelihoods improved, and a brighter economic outlook for our citizens,” he said. “We are laying a solid foundation for a resilient and efficient power sector.”
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s media and broadcasting landscape.
Fresh from attending the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Conference in Las Vegas, Idris said he held strategic meetings to boost Nigeria’s technical capacity and strengthen partnerships in the evolving global media space.
“The Federal Government remains focused on driving innovation in broadcasting and ensuring every Nigerian benefits from a reformed, modern media environment,” Idris said, pledging to extend the ongoing Ministerial Press Briefing Series and Town Hall Meetings nationwide.
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