The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians that 2026 will be a year of consolidation and measurable improvements in electricity supply, following what he described as a period of focused groundwork and deliberate progress in 2025.
In his New Year message to Nigerians and the people of Oyo State, Adelabu said the outgoing year, though challenging, recorded significant milestones in stabilising the national grid and achieving historic benchmarks in power generation and distribution.
According to the minister, sustained implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), popularly known as the Siemens Deal, has been instrumental in strengthening grid infrastructure and reducing the frequency of national grid collapses witnessed in previous years. He expressed optimism that the ongoing Phase One of the initiative would further enhance grid resilience and make widespread disruptions increasingly uncommon.
“2025 was a year of laying solid foundations. In 2026, our focus is to consolidate these gains and translate them into more reliable, accessible, and sustainable electricity for Nigerians,” Adelabu said.
Extending New Year greetings, the minister offered special goodwill to the people of Oyo State, describing the coming year as one of promise and tangible progress for the power sector.
“As we stand at the threshold of a new year, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to every Nigerian, and with particular affection to my kinsmen and women in Oyo State. May the new year usher in light, progress, and shared prosperity,” he stated.
Reflecting on the past year, Adelabu acknowledged the patience and resilience of Nigerians amid persistent challenges, including grid stability issues and inefficiencies in power distribution. He commended citizens for their understanding, noting that public cooperation remains critical to building a more resilient energy sector.
Reaffirming his commitment to Oyo State, the minister said the support of his constituents continues to motivate his service at the national level and his resolve to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
Adelabu also outlined key priorities for 2026, including deepening grid stabilisation efforts, expanding transmission infrastructure, strengthening collaboration with distribution companies to improve service delivery, and accelerating nationwide metering initiatives.
He added that the Light Up Nigeria Initiative would remain a flagship programme, with sustained attention on industrial clusters and agricultural hubs to boost economic productivity and job creation.
The minister also underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to renewable energy, particularly solar and hydropower, as a pathway to expanding electricity access in rural and underserved communities.
Adelabu stressed that achieving these objectives would require collective responsibility, calling on state governments, local communities, the private sector, and citizens to work together to protect power infrastructure and adopt energy-efficient practices.
“As we step into the new year, let us do so with shared responsibility and renewed optimism. The work continues, and our resolve is stronger than ever,” he said, wishing Nigerians a peaceful, prosperous, and brightly illuminated New Year.