Power Minister Assures of Steady Electricity Supply to Military Bases

Adebayo Adelabu 
Minister of Power 

"A clean, stable and cost-effective energy supply is critical. The military operates as a strategic institution, not a commercial entity; it deserves tailored energy solutions that reflect its national importance." Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power.

 

Nigeria's Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, in a move aimed at enhancing the operational capacity of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, pledged to prioritize stable electricity supply to all military bases across the country.

The Minister made this commitment when he received in audience, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar (DFS) and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Power in Abuja. 

Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister of Power in a statement on Sunday 29 June 2025, disclosed that the visit was part of broader efforts by the Nigerian Air Force to foster deeper collaboration with the Ministry on power supply reliability for Air Force Bases nationwide.

Chief Adelabu, during the visit, described reliable electricity as essential for securing military facilities and safeguarding national assets. 

"The President has issued a clear directive to prioritize power to military installations in barracks and bases. It’s a national security imperative," Adelabu stated.

Highlighting inherited challenges such as inadequate metering and outdated infrastructure, the Minister of Power noted that "contracts awarded since 2003 for metering of military sites are now entering a renewed and more successful phase."  

He also revealed ongoing dialogue with distribution companies (DisCos), emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated efforts to resolve power instability issues across all six geopolitical zones.

In a show of commitment, Chief Adelabu cited the recent commissioning of a 3.1MW mini grid to power the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna, as well as ongoing projects in Jaji and other locations.

"These efforts", he said, "will soon be extended to Air Force Bases, with a long-term goal of integrating renewable energy solutions into military energy strategy.

"A clean, stable and cost-effective energy supply is critical. The military operates as a strategic institution, not a commercial entity; it deserves tailored energy solutions that reflect its national importance," the Minister affirmed.

Furthermore, the Minister announced plans to replace outdated transformers with modern alternatives and convene a high-level meeting involving all 11 DisCos and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to craft a sustainable, sector-wide approach.

Air Marshal Abubakar, in his response , commended the Minister for his forward-thinking reforms in the power sector, emphasizing that electricity is vital not only to the economy but to Nigeria’s broader national security infrastructure. 

The Chief of Air Staff expressed concern over the encroachment on dedicated transmission lines to military facilities and sought the Ministry's support in eliminating illegal connections and resolving long-standing billing reconciliation issues with Ikeja DisCo.

He reiterated the Air Force's readiness to collaborate with the Ministry in safeguarding national infrastructure and implementing alternative energy solutions across its bases.

This strategic alignment between the Federal Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Air Force marks a significant step toward energy security, operational excellence, and national resilience.