“When I assumed office in 2023, the power sector was confronted with significant structural and operational challenges. Available generation capacity was between 3,500 and 4,500 megawatts despite an installed capacity of over 13,000 megawatts.” Adebayo Adelabu “However, under your visionary leadership and the Renewed Hope Agenda, the sector has recorded measurable progress across the entire electricity value chain. Key achievements during this period include the successful implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which has decentralized the electricity market and created a more investment-friendly framework.

Peak generation has increased to over 6,000 megawatts, supported by the integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the rehabilitation of several thermal power assets,” he said. Another Fire Destroys Over 5,800 Onion Bags in Sokoto Community Jalingo submerged Despite Taraba’s N2bn ecological fund Findings To verify the claim, Daily Trust obtained electricity generation data from the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), covering quarterly performance from 2023 to 2025 and monthly data from January to March 2026. Nigeria’s power sector has long struggled with inadequate and unreliable electricity supply despite repeated reforms and policy interventions.

Installed capacity has consistently exceeded 13,000MW, yet actual electricity delivered to consumers remains far lower due to constraints in generation, transmission, and distribution. No evidence of 6,000MW peak generation Data from APGC shows that Nigeria’s grid never recorded a verified peak generation of 6,000MW or higher within the reviewed period: 2023: Peak ~5,000MW; 2024: Peak ~5,528MW; 2025: Peak ranged between ~5,300MW and ~5,801MW and 2026 (early months): Available capacity declined to ~4,089MW by March. While generation approached the 6,000MW mark, it did not surpass it based on verified industry records.

NERC data shows fluctuating capacity, not sustained growth Quarterly data from NERC indicates a volatile pattern. Average Generation Capacity rose to 4,922MW in Q4 2023 shortly after Adelabu assumed office from 4211.44MW in Q3, 2023. It dropped to 4,249MW in Q1 2024, recovered to ~5,296MW by Q4 2024 and then ~5,430MW in Q3 2025 before declining to ~4,089MW by March 2026.

This trend reflects inconsistency rather than a sustained breakthrough in generation performance. Experts warn against misinterpreting “peak generation” According to APGC CEO, Joy Ogaji, confusion often arises from mixing different power sector metrics: Installed capacity: ~13,000–14,000MW Available capacity: ~4,900–7,300MW Peak generation: ~5,000–5,800MW Average delivered power: ~4,100–4,600MW These figures are not interchangeable. Peak generation represents a momentary high point, not sustained output.

For instance, even when peak generation reached about 5,528MW in 2024, average supply remained around 4,100–4,200MW, revealing a significant gap between potential and actual delivery. Structural constraints limit real output Although Nigeria’s power generation has approached 6,000MW under optimal conditions, there is no verified evidence that it exceeded that threshold during Adelabu’s tenure. Verdict: False The claim that Nigeria’s power generation peaked at over 6,000MW is not supported by verified industry data. Although Nigeria’s average available generation stood slightly above 4000MW when Adelabu assumed office, Peak generation remained below the 6000MW mark, while average electricity supply continued to lag significantly behind installed capacity.