Nigeria’s electricity generation rose to 4,300 megawatts (MW) in early April, up from 3,951MW recorded in late March, as improved gas supply to thermal plants supported a modest recovery in output, the federal government said.
The increase, recorded between March 28 and April 10, was disclosed in a statement issued on April 13, 2026, in Abuja by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister of Power. The update provides a near-term snapshot of operational performance in a sector long constrained by fuel shortages, infrastructure bottlenecks, and coordination challenges.
According to the statement, the improvement follows a commitment by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who had indicated at a Power Sector Working Group meeting in late March that supply would improve within two weeks. The latest data suggests a partial delivery on that timeline, with generation trending upward despite intermittent fluctuations.
The gains were driven primarily by increased gas availability to thermal power plants, which account for the bulk of Nigeria’s installed capacity. Gas supply rose from about 605 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) as of March 28 to more than 704 mmscfd by April 10, reflecting improved feedstock flows across the gas-to-power value chain.
Operational metrics also pointed to incremental efficiency gains. Mechanical availability — a measure of installed capacity ready for dispatch — remained stable and peaked at over 7,796MW in early April. Meanwhile, operational availability, which captures actual deliverable capacity, rose from approximately 4,208MW to more than 4,694MW during the period, indicating better conversion of available gas into electricity.
Despite the uptick, the government acknowledged that output remains below the country’s estimated demand, underscoring the fragility of the recovery. Daily generation continues to fluctuate due to constraints in gas supply, transmission capacity, and plant reliability.
“In spite of minor fluctuations recorded on some days, the overall trajectory points to a gradual recovery in the power sector, driven largely by improved gas supply and better coordination among critical stakeholders,” Tunji said in the statement.
The data highlights the centrality of gas supply to Nigeria’s electricity performance. The country relies heavily on gas-fired plants, making generation highly sensitive to disruptions in upstream production, pipeline infrastructure, and commercial arrangements between gas suppliers and generation companies.
To sustain the gains, the Ministry of Power recently inaugurated a Gas-to-Power Monitoring Committee tasked with improving coordination across the value chain. The committee is expected to provide real-time oversight of gas flows, address delivery bottlenecks, and strengthen alignment between producers and power generation companies.
Officials say the intervention is aimed at ensuring that incremental improvements in gas supply translate into more stable and predictable electricity output, a key requirement for industrial activity and broader economic growth.
“We are not there yet, but we will continue to ensure measurable improvements,” Adelabu said, according to the statement, signalling the government’s intention to build on the current momentum.
The announcement comes as policymakers intensify efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s power sector, which has historically struggled with underinvestment, tariff shortfalls, and weak institutional coordination. While recent reforms have targeted pricing, metering, and governance, execution challenges persist.
Separately, Adelabu used a meeting held over the weekend of April 11–12 with the new management of the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency to push for operational and financial reforms within the agency. The delegation was led by Managing Director Olusegun Adesayo and Board Chairman Ikechi Nwosu.
At the meeting in Abuja, the minister urged the agency to strengthen its internally generated revenue (IGR) and reduce reliance on government appropriations for operational funding. He also called for an expansion of meter testing infrastructure nationwide as part of broader efforts to close Nigeria’s metering gap.
Adelabu said increasing the number of certified meter testing centres across geopolitical zones would enhance regulatory oversight and improve consumer confidence in billing systems, a longstanding issue in the sector.
The minister further highlighted manpower shortages, particularly among meter installers, and reiterated the need for collaboration between the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria and NEMSA to scale up training capacity. Addressing the skills gap is seen as critical to accelerating metering programmes and reducing estimated billing practices.
He also directed the new NEMSA management to undertake a comprehensive diagnostic review of the agency’s operations to identify structural challenges and set reform priorities.
The managing director said the visit formed part of broader stakeholder engagement efforts aimed at securing institutional support for the agency’s mandate.
While the recent increase in generation offers a tentative sign of progress, analysts say sustained improvements will depend on consistent gas supply, enhanced transmission capacity, and continued policy coordination. Without structural fixes, short-term gains risk being reversed, leaving businesses and households exposed to persistent power shortages.