As households and businesses across Nigeria grapple with electricity shortages during the Christmas period, the Federal Government has attributed the nationwide drop in power supply to disruptions in gas infrastructure and assured Nigerians that restoration efforts are nearing completion.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said the decline in electricity supply followed an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline, compounded by acts of vandalism on critical gas facilities in the Niger Delta. The incidents disrupted gas supply to several thermal power plants, leading to a sharp reduction in electricity generation at a time of heightened seasonal demand.

Adelabu gave the assurance during a meeting with key power sector stakeholders, including the National Independent System Operator, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the Ministry of Power, power generation companies, and electricity distribution companies. He stressed the urgency of restoring supply, noting that electricity demand typically increases during the Christmas and year-end period.

The minister’s comments followed a public update from the National Independent System Operator, which said it was closely monitoring repair works being carried out by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company. According to the system operator, the pipeline explosion led to a significant reduction in electricity generation nationwide, with several gas-fired power stations recording reduced output.

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In a statement signed by the minister’s spokesman, Bolaji Tunji, the system operator confirmed that it had received assurances from the gas company that repair works on the vandalised pipeline were close to completion and that full operations were expected to resume shortly.

Adelabu acknowledged the inconvenience being experienced by homes and businesses during the festive period, describing the disruption as temporary and directly linked to acute gas supply constraints affecting multiple thermal power stations.

Stakeholders at the meeting confirmed that repairs to the affected pipelines were progressing and that gas supply would be restored once the work was completed. The minister directed all relevant agencies to intensify their efforts to ensure that restoration timelines were strictly adhered to, given the economic and social importance of stable power during the holiday season.

Preliminary investigations, according to the minister, established that the supply shortage was caused by the pipeline explosion and vandalism across gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta. These incidents significantly reduced the volume of gas required to power key electricity plants, leading to a noticeable drop in generation on the national grid.

“We understand the frustration this has caused Nigerians. However, we wish to assure the public that the federal government, through the Ministry of Power, is working round the clock to address the situation with utmost urgency,” Adelabu said.

He added that beyond immediate restoration efforts, the government was accelerating long-term measures to diversify the country’s energy mix, strengthen grid resilience, and deploy advanced surveillance technologies to protect critical infrastructure from vandalism.

The minister appealed to Nigerians for patience and cooperation during the temporary disruption, urging communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around power and gas facilities to security agencies. He stressed that protecting national infrastructure is a shared responsibility.

Adelabu also reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to delivering stable, reliable, and sustainable electricity to support households, businesses, and the wider economy, even during periods of increased demand such as the Christmas season.

Meiza Nigeria