HURIWA blasts power Minister over leadership failures, threatens mass protest over electricity crisis

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a scathing critique of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, accusing him of incompetence, failed leadership, and prioritizing foreign trips while the country suffers from a deepening electricity crisis.

In a statement released on Monday, HURIWA expressed disappointment over the deteriorating power situation despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign promise to improve electricity supply.

The rights group highlighted the frequent collapse of the national grid, erratic power supply, and rising electricity tariffs, which have severely impacted businesses and the economy.

“Reports indicate that Nigeria’s national grid experienced at least 12 collapses in 2024, with another recorded in March 2025. These failures have led to widespread power outages across the country, with little explanation from the Ministry of Power beyond references to gas shortages, vandalism, or system disturbances. The recurring collapses have exacerbated economic hardships, leaving millions of citizens and businesses struggling to cope with unreliable power supply,” HURIWA stated.

Citing data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), HURIWA noted that the national grid has collapsed at least 141 times in the past decade, with 46 failures recorded between 2017 and 2024.

In 2023 alone, the grid failed more than 10 times, plunging millions of Nigerians into darkness. The group recalled that in September 2023, the national grid collapsed twice in one week, while another failure in February 2024 left major cities such as Lagos and Abuja without electricity for days.

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HURIWA criticized power sector officials for normalizing these failures instead of implementing decisive corrective measures. It compared Nigeria’s situation to developed nations, where even a single power failure prompts immediate government intervention.

The group referenced the United Kingdom’s 2019 power outage, which resulted in a swift national response, contrasting it with Nigeria’s continued reliance on outdated and mismanaged power infrastructure.

HURIWA also condemned Minister Adelabu’s frequent international travels, questioning their relevance to resolving Nigeria’s electricity challenges.

Investigations revealed that since assuming office, the minister has traveled to countries including Barbados, Tanzania, Japan, and the United States, in addition to meeting with the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria. However, HURIWA argued that these trips have not resulted in any tangible improvements in electricity supply.

“The minister should be focusing on implementing policies that address the fundamental issues plaguing the power sector, such as poor infrastructure, inadequate funding, and lack of transparency, rather than engaging in unnecessary foreign trips,” HURIWA asserted.

HURIWA emphasized the severe impact of unreliable electricity on businesses, stating that the high costs of alternative power sources have forced many enterprises to shut down. Hospitals have also struggled to provide critical medical services due to power outages, endangering lives.

The group noted that industries reliant on electricity, such as manufacturing and technology, have been forced to downsize or relocate to other countries with stable power supply, leading to job losses and economic decline.

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The rights group accused the minister of prioritizing personal luxury over national duty and urged President Tinubu to immediately restructure the power ministry. It called for the replacement of the current leadership with competent professionals and the implementation of strict accountability measures to ensure improved performance.

Additionally, HURIWA urged the government to introduce policies that would encourage private sector participation in power generation and distribution, as seen in other countries with more efficient electricity systems.

HURIWA further demanded a full audit of the funds allocated to the power sector under the Tinubu administration, questioning why billions of naira budgeted for electricity projects have not translated into improved supply. It also called on the National Assembly to summon Minister Adelabu for questioning over the persistent failures in the sector.

“Nigerians deserve to know how public funds allocated for electricity infrastructure have been spent and whether there has been any mismanagement or diversion of resources,” HURIWA stated.

The group warned that if urgent action is not taken, it would mobilize citizens for mass protests to demand accountability from the government. It called on civil society organizations, labor unions, and business communities to join in demanding immediate reforms in the power sector, emphasizing that electricity is a fundamental necessity for national development and economic prosperity.

“With the worsening power situation, HURIWA’s demands reflect the frustrations of millions of Nigerians who have endured decades of failed promises and ineffective reforms.

“If the government fails to take meaningful steps towards resolving the crisis, Nigerians should not hesitate to take to the streets in peaceful demonstrations to demand their right to a stable and reliable power supply,” the group stated.