Adelabu presides over a power sector with multi-dimensional challenges.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria’s minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, has set tongues wagging after flaunting his millions of naira worth mansion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a trending video seen on Tuesday, Adelabu was spotted in the well-furnished white mansion with his supporters.
Some of the supporters were heard saying “incoming governor” while others asserted that the mansion is better than the official governor’s quarters..
Adelabu presides over a sector with multi-dimensional challenges of liquidity crisis, inadequate power supply, grid collapse, problematic tariff structures, tariff affordability concerns, and ageing power equipment.
According to him, the federal government owes electricity generation companies legacy debts amounting to N4 trillion as of the end of 2024.
In June this year, the World Bank estimated that 86.8 million Nigerians, the highest in the world, are without electricity, according to a report titled ‘Tracking Sustainable Development Goal, SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2025.
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Meanwhile, after the video made the rounds online, it elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians.
While some of those who commented hailed the minister, others felt it was irresponsible for him to show off the mansion despite the prevailing economic challenges in the country.
A Facebook user identified as Habeeb Afolabi wrote, “Congratulations Mr Governor…. Enemy of good things, wetin u de gain before? Even people wey no get money reach a governor sef de build something pass this”
Another netizen, Optimistic Odeosa said, “Just by being in government, look at what he’s building, criminals”
Olabanji Olaleye added, “Even without being a governor, he can build this on his own. So stop this stylish defamation.”
Yakubu Danjuna also said, “When the people of the state are hungry, no doctors are in the government’s own hospital.”
While Victor Anaetoh wrote, “That means una never see Wike’s house. Politicians forget that power is transient, that when they are no more, these things will fade away, cos none of their kids would even want to stay in the mess of the country they are busy moulding.”
