Nigerians may experience worsening power outages as electricity generation companies warn that gas suppliers have threatened to stop supply over an outstanding debt of N3.3 trillion.
Dr. Joy Ogaji, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, disclosed this during an interview on Fresh FM.
She explained that the persistent power shortages across the country in recent months are largely linked to the unpaid debts owed to gas suppliers.
Ogaji noted that Nigeria currently relies heavily on gas-powered thermal plants, which generated only about 3,334 megawatts of electricity to the national grid as of Wednesday, amid ongoing gas supply constraints.
She added that the Federal Government’s total debt to generation companies had risen to N6.8 trillion as of the end of February 2026.
“Gas is not available because the gas suppliers have told us that if we need gas, we need to put money on the ground to get gas in the pipe. We owe them a lot of money.
“From 2015 to December 2024, the debt profile grew to N4 trillion. In each month of 2025, there is a shortfall of N200 billion so if you calculate N200 billion times 12, that is N2.4 trillion, making the whole debt N6.4 trillion after December 2025. We’re already in March 2026. The debt grew to N6.6 trillion in January and N6.8 trillion in February.
“Yes, it is 120 percent correct to say that the debt is the reason why we are in darkness,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who is occupied with his governorship ambition in Oyo State, said the issue is being addressed.
However, Nigerians are yet to see improved power supply.
Speaking through his spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu said the matter is being treated in collaboration with the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.
“It is being handled jointly with the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas),” Tunji said in a brief message.