By ifeoma Onyekachi

In a renewed push to tackle Nigeria’s chronic electricity shortages, the Federal Government has inaugurated a Gas-to-Power Monitoring Committee aimed at resolving persistent gas supply disruptions that have weakened power generation across the country.

Unveiling the committee in Abuja, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to address one of the most critical bottlenecks in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Nigeria’s power sector remains heavily dependent on gas-fired plants, which account for roughly 80 per cent of electricity generation. However, the system has struggled with recurring setbacks, including gas supply shortfalls, pipeline vandalism, and mounting debts owed to suppliers.

The situation worsened in January when gas producers cut supply to generation companies over an estimated $1.3 billion debt, triggering a sharp drop in electricity output to the national grid and worsening outages nationwide.

Adelabu said the newly inaugurated committee reflects the government’s determination to break the cycle of inefficiencies that have long constrained generation capacity and undermined reliable power delivery.

According to a statement by his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, the committee was established following deliberations at the first quarter 2026 Ministerial Power Sector Working Group meeting, where stakeholders identified key challenges including infrastructure gaps, liquidity constraints, pricing issues, and weak coordination across the gas-to-power value chain.

The minister explained that the committee’s mandate includes monitoring and fast-tracking solutions to critical issues such as the repair and maintenance of damaged gas pipelines, settlement of outstanding debts to gas suppliers, and the resolution of commercial and operational barriers affecting gas availability.

He tasked members to move beyond routine oversight and provide actionable, data-driven recommendations particularly on sustainable payment frameworks that would guarantee gas supply and restore investor confidence in the sector.

Adelabu stressed that the committee would be held accountable for measurable outcomes, with clear milestones, regular reporting, and prompt escalation of issues requiring government intervention.

Membership of the committee cuts across key institutions in the power and gas ecosystem, including the Ministry of Power, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Association of Generation Companies, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the Nigerian Gas Association, and consumer advocacy groups.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman represented by the Director of Distribution said the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to urgently address the structural challenges affecting gas supply to power plants.

He highlighted infrastructure deficits, pipeline vandalism, liquidity shortfalls, and coordination gaps as major constraints limiting electricity generation and slowing economic growth.