Nigeria needs over $100 billion in public and private investments to achieve 24-hour electricity, as Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu outlines funding gaps, gas shortages, and sector reforms. The Federal Government has revealed that Nigeria needs more than $100 billion in combined public and private investment across the entire power sector to ensure a reliable 24/7 electricity supply.
At a press conference, where he was updating the public on recent developments and achievements in the power sector under the current government, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, acknowledged the recent decline in electricity supply across the country. He apologized to the people of Nigeria and promised to take quick steps to fix the situation.
Put together, we are talking of over $100bn of investments in the upstream, midstream, and downstream of the power sector value chain,” Adelabu said. “This is not a figure to be underestimated, but it is achievable in phases, through a combination of government and private sector participation. Patience and consistent investment are key.”
The minister explained that the government has worked out the costs: bringing an extra 20,000 megawatts of power online would likely set them back around $30 billion, based on an average cost of $1.5 billion for every 1,000MW plant. Getting that power to where it’s needed through transmission lines is estimated at $20 billion, while setting up distribution networks and gas pipelines would cost roughly $25 billion and $22 billion, respectively.
Adelabu pointed out that while South Africa, with a population of about 60 million, is considering a $25 billion private investment in its energy sector, Nigeria’s much larger population – over 200 million – means we need to invest even more, proportionally speaking.
Although there are difficulties now, the minister also emphasized the significant progress that has been made since the current administration took office in September 2023. “For the first time in Nigeria’s history, we achieved a generation peak of 6,001 megawatts in April 2025, and the highest transmission of 5,801 megawatts on March 2, 2025,” he said.
“This was made possible through completion of the Zungeru hydro power plant (700MW), rehabilitation of existing thermal plants, and expansion of renewable energy via mini-grids.”
Installed capacity rose from 13,000MW in 2023 to 14,400MW in 2025, while financial interventions included a N4tn debt restructuring to clear outstanding unpaid subsidies to power-generating companies, of which N501bn has already been raised from the bond market and disbursed.
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