Adebayo Adelabu, the minister of power, says Nigerians will start witnessing improved electricity supply between six months and one year.
Adelabu was one of the 45 ministers inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on Monday.
Speaking with reporters on Friday at the Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, Adelabu acknowledged that the task ahead may be daunting but not insurmountable.
“We know it is not something that is achievable overnight but we believe that once the foundation is laid, others can also build on it,” he said.
“I can tell you that between six months and one year, we will start seeing improvements in the power sector.
“Within the next six months, there would be major addition to the national grid, in terms of hydropower plant, that is the Zungeru 700mw in Niger state that is about to be completed.
“This will be the biggest one in sub-Saharan Africa when completed.
“The Kainji dam that we all grew up to know, supplies about 460mw, Shiroro dam supplies about 520mw.
“I will do everything to ensure that Zungeru power plant is inaugurated and subsequently add 700mw to the national grid.
“This is a new era and I will use everything that God has given me to ensure that we have stable power supply in the country.”
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, has grappled with erratic power supply since independence in 1960.
Successive administrations have been unable to curb the perennial power cuts that have stymied industrial development and economic growth.
