Power Minister Claims Reduced Generator Use Behind Nigerians’ Quiet Reaction To ₦1k Fuel

Power Minister Claims Reduced Generator Use Behind Nigerians’ Quiet Reaction To ₦1k FuelNigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, recently remarked that the reason many Nigerians have stopped protesting about petrol prices, now hovering around ₦1,000 per litre, is due to the reduced reliance on generators for electricity.

Speaking at the 2024 Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference in Lagos, Adelabu emphasized that improvements in power supply have lessened the need for petrol-powered generators. He attributed the quieter public response to the fact that citizens no longer depend heavily on expensive fuel to generate electricity in their homes.

This comes amid rising fuel prices, driven by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) decision to cease its sole off-taker arrangement with Dangote Refinery. The price hike has significantly impacted transportation, food costs, and essential household goods.

Adelabu underscored the federal government’s commitment to expanding energy access, revealing plans to phase out all generators in Nigeria. He praised Lagos State’s policy to replace one million generators within a year, adding, “If people still relied on generators to power their homes, the outcry over ₦1,000 per litre of petrol would be deafening.”

While acknowledging the slow pace of power generation growth, Adelabu called for urgency in tackling the energy crisis, citing the nation’s peak generation of 5,527 MW in September as a sign of progress. However, he stressed the need for continued efforts to ensure sustainable and reliable energy for all Nigerians.