Adebayo Adelabu has resigned as Nigeria’s Minister of Power to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections, becoming the third member of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet to exit within 48 hours.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, Adelabu said his decision would take effect on April 30 to allow for a smooth transition. He explained that stepping down aligns with provisions of the amended Electoral Act 2026, which bars political appointees from contesting elections while in office.
Adelabu noted that his governorship ambition predates his ministerial appointment, tracing it back to 2016 during his tenure at the Central Bank of Nigeria. He had earlier resigned from the apex bank in 2018 to pursue the same political aspiration.
Reflecting on his time in office, Adelabu said power generation capacity rose from between 3,500 and 4,500 megawatts in 2023 to over 6,000 megawatts at peak levels, citing reforms enabled by the Electricity Act 2023, integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant, and rehabilitation of thermal assets.
He also highlighted improvements in transmission infrastructure through the Presidential Power Initiative and progress in sector finances, including a debt restructuring programme that increased market revenue from about N1tn in 2023 to N2.3tn by 2025.
Despite these gains, Adelabu acknowledged persistent challenges such as gas supply constraints, infrastructure vandalism, and the need for deeper commercial reforms across the electricity value chain.
Meanwhile, the Presidency clarified that the exits of former Finance Minister Wale Edun and former Housing Minister Ahmed Dangiwa were voluntary resignations, not dismissals as widely reported.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Edun stepped down on health grounds after turning 70 and held a valedictory meeting with the President before his departure. However, officials also indicated that disagreements over capital allocation priorities among ministries contributed to tensions preceding his exit.
Following Edun’s departure, the President elevated Taiwo Oyedele from Minister of State to substantive Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, with a mandate to consolidate ongoing fiscal reforms.
Separately, Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm Muttaqha Rabe Darma as Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Lamido Yuguda as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Benedict Umeno for reappointment to the Code of Conduct Bureau, signalling further adjustments within his cabinet.
