Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has said despite zero allocation in the 2025 capital budget, this did not stop the ministry from performing its functions of providing electricity to Nigerians.
Although he lamented that the none release of the capital funds slowed down activities across ministries, departments and agencies in 2025, urging for a change in the 2026 budget.
The Minister made this known on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, during the budget defence of his ministry before the Senate Committee on Power at the National Assembly, Abuja.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government would avoid the fiscal error that hampered the implementation of the 2025 capital budget as it affects the ministry, assuring that despite the challenges, there would better performance in the sector.
“There are three components to the budget which are salaries and wages, overhead cost, and capital expenditure. The first two were achieved hundred per cent but we recorded zero percent on the capital. However, we have agencies under the ministry, who generate revenues on their own and could carry on their work. This made it much easier for us to weather through the year,” he said.
Adelabu, in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategic Communication, Bolaji Tunji, told the lawmakers that despite the none release of the capital funds, the ministry was able to record only one grid disturbance, which happened on September 12, 2025.
“In 2024, when the budget performance was far better, we recorded one full grid collapse and about four disturbances. However, in 2025, when we did not get anything, we recorded only one disturbance, which happened in the Niger Delta area as a result of the activities of vandals and explosion which affected gas supply. We were able to weather this challenge due to investments that have been put into stabilising the grid. So, it is not true that because we did not get funds, the nation was thrown into darkness in 2025”, the Minister said.
He also disclosed that thirty percent of the 2025 capital budget is expected to be released to the ministry before the end March, 2026, while the remaining 70 percent would be implanted for the rest of the year.
“The Federal Government is taking all the necessary steps and measures to ensure that the fiscal error that affected the implementation of the 2025 budget are avoided in the implementation of the 2026 budget. Mr President made this known while presenting the 2026 appropriation to the joint sitting of the National Assembly, so we are sure of a better implementation this year, Adelabu said.
In his earlier remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe described budgeting as a vital tool that aids prudent running of government activities and it enabled the judicious utilisation of public fund and promotes transparency and accountability in all sectors of the economy.
“It is against this background that ministries, departments and agencies of government are mandated to submit their annual budget expenditure estimates and revenue projections to the National Assembly through the Executive branch for approval.
“As we are all aware, the Power sector plays a vital role in the continuous prosperity of any economy, particularly at a period of rapid global changes and economic diversification. Consequent to this, the Committee will continuously engage the ministry to ensure tangible implementation of approved budgets as well as to identify the ministry’s challenges that require legislative support. This will be achieved through the legislative oversight functions and amendment of existing legislation where applicable”, Abaribe said.
