Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu has formally tendered his resignation to President Bola Tinubu, stepping down from the Federal Executive Council to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State while recommending the creation of a dedicated Coordinating Minister for Energy to drive integrated reforms across Nigeria’s power, gas, and related sectors.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, Adelabu stated that his exit would take effect on April 30, 2026, citing provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which barred serving political office holders from contesting elections. He disclosed that his gubernatorial aspiration dated back to 2016 during his tenure as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, an ambition that had ultimately driven his voluntary resignation from the CBN in 2018.
The minister expressed deep appreciation to the president for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as a privilege to contribute to national development at a critical period in Nigeria’s energy transition. He had earlier met with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, formally briefing the president on his political ambitions and presenting a detailed stewardship report on the power sector. Tinubu granted his consent and blessing for the Oyo governorship pursuit.
In his three-page letter, Adelabu outlined key achievements recorded during his tenure. He highlighted the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralized the electricity market and improved the investment climate for private sector participation. Peak power generation rose to over 6,000 megawatts, driven by the integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the rehabilitation of thermal power plants. Transmission capacity was strengthened through grid upgrades under the Presidential Power Initiative.
On the distribution side, he cited enhanced regulatory oversight, improved revenue collection, and measurable progress in reducing Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection losses. Metering initiatives gained momentum through the Presidential Metering Initiative and the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme. Tariff reforms and a N4 trillion debt restructuring programme increased market revenues from N1 trillion in 2023 to N2.3 trillion in 2025, restoring investor confidence and placing the sector on a more sustainable trajectory.
Despite these gains, Adelabu acknowledged persistent challenges, including gas supply constraints, infrastructure vandalism, and the need for full commercialization of the electricity value chain. He proposed cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies, recapitalization of distribution companies, accelerated nationwide metering, sustained transmission investments, and strengthened regulatory enforcement as measures to sustain progress.
His most significant recommendation was the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to provide strategic oversight and ensure policy synergy across power, gas, water resources, and environmental sectors, arguing this was critical to improving gas supply for thermal generation, optimizing hydroelectric resources, and accelerating renewable energy deployment.
Meanwhile, the Presidency clarified that former Finance Minister Wale Edun and Housing Minister Ahmed Dangiwa were not dismissed but had voluntarily resigned. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Edun, who turned 70 on Monday, submitted his resignation on his birthday citing health reasons before Tinubu announced his replacement. Edun had paid a valedictory visit to the president, held an hour-long discussion, and departed to focus on private business interests.
Dangiwa also resigned and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve. Tinubu expressed appreciation to both men for their dedicated service and urged new Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele to consolidate ongoing reforms with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
The ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Darma, also from Katsina State like Dangiwa, would shortly be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation. Edun, an investment banker and economist, had served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance under then Governor Bola Tinubu from 1999 to 2004, co-founded what is now Stanbic IBTC in 1989, and later established the Chapelhill Denham Group. Dangiwa, an architect, had previously served as Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria between 2015 and 2022 and as Secretary to the Katsina State Government before his ministerial appointment in August 2023.
