Nigerians Blast Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu Over Persistent Blackouts

Nigerians have unleashed a barrage of criticism on the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, as frustration mounts over frequent electricity outages and the precarious state of the national grid.

As previously reported by NaijaChoice News, the national grid collapsed multiple times early in 2026, including incidents on January 23 and January 27 that left millions across the country in total darkness.

The criticism has intensified following these recurring blackouts and controversial comments previously made by the minister regarding electricity consumption in Nigeria.

At several forums and press briefings, Adelabu has admitted that parts of the national grid, some over 50 years old, remain vulnerable to collapse due to aging equipment and inadequate investment.

Yet for many citizens online, such explanations have done little to douse the growing anger.

Social Media Fury Reaches Boiling Point

On X, citizens have fired back with sarcasm, ridicule and outright condemnation.

One user, @truetalk2024, wrote: “Oga minister sir. This is why every house should have a prepaid meter so that you pay according to use. Abroad people leave their AC and fridge on too. Stop comparing Nigeria with abroad please.”

Another user, @Nature_nurtured, mocked the minister’s policies: “Don’t worry. Years later when you retire and start paying the electricity hike you proposed, you will understand how it feels.”

Other reactions circulating on X include: @official_lola_t “I am sure the National Grid has fallen again. But shame won’t allow Adelabu admit it.”

@Ozzmanic “The moment Adelabu was posting mansion pictures during a national grid collapse I knew we were in trouble.”

According to @Chidi_EnergyWatch, “Nigeria has over 200 million people and we still struggle to generate barely 5,000MW. What exactly is the Minister of Power doing?”

@NaijaPolicyGuy wrote: “Adelabu says grid collapse is inevitable because infrastructure is old. That means government has accepted failure as policy.”

@IAmTosinWrites said, “Electricity tariffs keep rising but supply keeps falling. Someone needs to explain the logic.”

“Imagine paying Band A tariff and still sleeping with generator noise every night,” noted @AdaezeReports.

@KayceeAnalyst also said “Nigeria’s grid collapsing multiple times in a year would be a national scandal anywhere else.”

Viral Satire Hits Hard

Beyond the direct attacks, Nigerians have turned the crisis into sharp satire.

One widely circulated message mockingly crowned the minister with exaggerated traditional titles in Yoruba: “His Royal Highness, The Olokunkun of Okunkunland… Wiwo ni National Grid ma n wo… Eyan Powerbank… Alase Ekeji Solar Panel, Ore timo timo Generator.”

The phrase loosely translates into a biting jab suggesting the minister merely “watches the national grid collapse” while ordinary Nigerians survive using power banks, solar panels and generators.

Socio-Economic Crisis Deepens

NaijaChoice News gathered that the worsening power situation has continued to cripple businesses and forced the shutdown of critical manufacturing industries, with serious socio-economic and political implications.

The crisis has also triggered direct action on the ground.

Just last week, angry residents of Osogbo and surrounding communities stormed the Osogbo Business District Office of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to register their displeasure over the epileptic power supply.

The Chairman of the United Communities, Mr Sulaiman Buruji, led the delegation and submitted a strongly worded communiqué.

The affected communities — Owo-Eba, Garage Ilesa, Tara, Oke-Bale axis, OSBC area, Uniosun axis, Air Force Base, Army Depot, Boredun, Coker, Odu and Omu — demanded immediate restoration to Band A within seven days.

They warned that failure to comply would force them to take “lawful and collective actions.”

Despite claims by the Federal Government of boosting installed generation capacity beyond 14,000 MW, actual power supply to consumers remains stuck below 5,000 MW amid transmission constraints and other challenges.

As the backlash continues to trend, many Nigerians are asking one simple question: when will the promises of stable electricity finally become reality?