No Progress on Siemens Power Project Until Tinubu Took Office, Minister Insists

Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to reforming Nigeria’s power sector.

Adelabu noted significant progress in the Siemens-backed Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) since May 2023.

In a statement by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications, Minister Adelabu clarified his recent remarks, emphasizing that despite the Siemens deal’s conception in 2018, meaningful progress only started after President Tinubu’s directive to expedite implementation.

“President Tinubu mandated the signing of an Acceleration Agreement. This commitment has translated into tangible results,” the statement reads, emphasizing that the present administration has overseen key milestones such as the installation and commissioning of 10 power transformers and 10 mobile substations, boosting grid capacity by 700MW.

Persecondnews reports that the clarification follows public scrutiny over the Minister’s statement that “no significant progress on the project was made” before Tinubu’s inauguration.

He said the statement was taken out of context and failed to recognize the sweeping reforms and investments in generation, transmission, and distribution.

Among the landmark achievements highlighted include:

• Generation: Nigeria hit a historic peak of 6,003MW in available generation on March 4, 2025, with an all-time energy delivery of 128,370.75MWh. Restored capacities at NIPP plants in Omotosho, Benin, and Calabar added 345MW back to the grid.

• Transmission: Over 70 transformers were added between 2024 and 2025, backed by World Bank and AfDB funding. A ₦25 billion budget is earmarked in the 2025 appropriation to complete critical upgrades.

• Distribution & Metering: The Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) is targeting 2 million meters annually, supported by ₦700 billion in funding. The World Bank’s DISREP project will supply 3.2 million meters, with 275,000 units already delivered or in transit.

• Reforms & Regulation: Eleven states have taken regulatory control of electricity under the new constitutional provisions, while cost-reflective tariffs for Band A customers have raised market revenue by ₦700 billion in 2024 — a 70% increase from 2023.

Additionally, the minister said renewable energy is gaining traction, with utility-scale solar projects underway and over 2.4MW of solar mini-grids commissioned in rural communities.

“The focus should be on the impact being made in the power sector rather than singling out an aspect,” he said, questioning the selective interpretation of his comments.

Adelabu also acknowledged persistent challenges facing the sector, including a ₦4 trillion subsidy backlog, vandalism, and billing inefficiencies.

He, however, emphasized that “strong strides in sector reform, access, and infrastructure upgrade” are laying the foundation for a sustainable energy future.