The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has unveiled a 10-year rescue plan aimed at reversing the decline in Nigeria’s electricity sector, with a strong focus on developing local capacity and revamping infrastructure.

Speaking at the opening of the Ministry of Power’s management retreat on Tuesday in Abuja, themed “Development of Ministerial Performance Management System (MPMS) for 2025”, Adelabu announced that the ministry will train at least 1,200 electrical engineers over the next decade to address the chronic manpower deficit plaguing the sector.

He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will no longer tolerate excuses in the delivery of stable electricity, describing the sector’s revival as “non-negotiable” for the nation’s economic survival.

“The dearth of skilled professionals in the power sector is alarming. In the next 10 years, we must replace the lost generation of engineers. We must be intentional in building local capacity,” Adelabu declared.

The minister’s announcement comes a day after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a comprehensive roadmap to overhaul the sector’s infrastructure, which has long suffered from neglect despite the country’s abundant energy resources.

Adelabu revealed that an executive order is being drafted to enforce a “Nigeria First” policy in government procurement, prioritising local firms and home-grown expertise in the power sector.

“We cannot keep outsourcing our future,” he said, stressing the need to key into local resources, both in personnel and technology.

Acknowledging recent improvements in grid stability since January 2025, the minister challenged ministry staff to accelerate progress.

He warned that performance would now be subjected to quarterly reviews by the Presidential Monitoring Unit under the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU).

“When you are performing, don’t listen to negativity—just show Nigerians the evidence,” Adelabu urged, noting that citizens are increasingly sceptical after years of unmet promises.

He praised achievements recorded in generation, transmission, and distribution in the past 18 months, attributing them to teamwork and a shared commitment to delivering results.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmuda Mamman, echoed the minister’s call for performance and accountability, saying promotions would henceforth be tied to measurable outcomes.

“Citizens will judge us by their meter readings, not our PowerPoints,” Mamman said.

He commended the Office of the Head of Civil Service for organising the retreat, which he described as a platform to deepen performance ethics and place citizens at the heart of the ministry’s goals.