The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, formally submitted his resignation to President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday. In his resignation letter, dated April 22, 2026, Adelabu also suggested the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to streamline reforms across Nigeria's power, gas, and associated sectors. His resignation is set to take effect on April 30, 2026, enabling him to concentrate on his ambition to become the governor of Oyo State.
Adelabu emphasized that enhancing and maintaining progress in the power sector necessitates robust high-level coordination, including the appointment of a central figure to harmonize policy direction and implementation. In a statement released in Abuja, Adelabu's Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, conveyed the minister's profound gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as a distinct privilege to contribute to national development.
The minister noted that his decision adheres to the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits current political officeholders from participating in elections. He further revealed that his aspiration for the governorship dates back to his time as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2016.
In a detailed three-page letter, Adelabu highlighted significant achievements during his term, such as the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023. This act facilitated the decentralization of the electricity market and improved the investment landscape. He pointed out an increase in peak power generation, exceeding 6,000 megawatts, attributed to the integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the refurbishment of thermal power plants. Transmission capabilities were also bolstered through grid enhancements under the Presidential Power Initiative.
Further improvements were noted in the distribution segment, including enhanced regulatory oversight, better revenue collection, and progress in reducing Aggregate Technical, Commercial, and Collection (ATC&C;) losses. Efforts to address the metering gap, he added, gained traction via the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) and the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP).
Financially, Adelabu stated that tariff adjustments and a N4 trillion debt restructuring program led to a rise in market revenues from N1 trillion in 2023 to N2.3 trillion in 2025. This boosted investor confidence and set the sector on a sustainable course.
Despite these advancements, the minister acknowledged ongoing challenges such as gas supply limitations, infrastructure vandalism, and the necessity for the full commercialization of the electricity value chain. He consequently proposed several measures to sustain momentum: implementing cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies, recapitalizing distribution companies, accelerating nationwide metering, continuing transmission investments, and strengthening regulatory enforcement.
Adelabu recommended establishing a Coordinating Minister for Energy to provide strategic direction and ensure synergy across the power, gas, water resources, and environmental sectors. He believes this integrated approach is vital for improving gas supply for power generation, optimizing hydroelectric resources, and accelerating renewable energy adoption.
The outgoing minister affirmed his commitment to ensuring a smooth handover process and expressed deep appreciation for the President's trust and support throughout his service.
"My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State," Adelabu's resignation letter stated. "This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal. In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which precludes political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time."
Earlier on Wednesday, Adelabu had indicated his intent to leave the Federal Executive Council (FEC) soon, having received President Tinubu's approval to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State. This followed a meeting on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, where Adelabu briefed the President on his political ambitions and presented a report on his performance as Power Minister.
According to the statement from Bolaji Tunji, Tinubu granted Adelabu his consent and blessing for the Oyo governorship race. The minister had explained that his delay in leaving office was to ensure stability in the power sector and continue ongoing reforms before his departure.
"In view of this development, Chief Adebayo Adelabu is expected to resign his position as minister of power in the coming days. The timing of his anticipated resignation reflects his commitment to addressing key sectoral challenges and ensuring continuity in ongoing reforms prior to exiting office. Notably, this includes efforts to stabilize the sector following recent declines in power generation due to gas supply constraints to power plants, ongoing pipeline repairs, and outstanding obligations to gas suppliers, as well as the need to secure the president’s approval for his intended resignation and gubernatorial aspiration in Oyo State," the statement added.
Separately, the Presidency on Wednesday clarified that former Finance Minister Wale Edun and Housing and Urban Development Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa were not dismissed from Tinubu's cabinet but had voluntarily resigned. Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, explained that Edun had tendered his resignation citing health reasons before his replacement was announced on Tuesday. Dangiwa had also resigned, expressing gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve.
"Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria," the statement read. "It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda. Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future," Edun reportedly wrote.
Before the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation officially announced his departure, Edun was said to have paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa on Tuesday, engaging in an hour-long discussion before departing to focus on his private ventures.
Tinubu reportedly expressed appreciation to both Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration's economic reform agenda, wishing them success in their future endeavors. He also urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate current reforms and advance the administration's fiscal and economic goals with focus, discipline, and innovation.
The President is expected to soon forward the nomination of Muttaqha Darma, also from Katsina State, to the Senate for confirmation as the new minister for housing. Dangiwa, an architect, previously held positions including managing director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) from 2015 to 2022 and Secretary to the Katsina State Government before his appointment as Housing Minister in August 2023.
Edun, an economist and investment banker, served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance from 1999 to 2004 under Governor Bola Tinubu. He also had a career at Chase Merchant Bank, co-founded Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited (now Stanbic IBTC), and founded Denham Management Limited, which evolved into the Chapelhill Denham Group.
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