The Federal Government has pledged to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to military installations across Nigeria, as part of efforts to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, made this commitment while receiving the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja. The visit aimed to deepen collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and the Ministry of Power on improving power reliability at Air Force bases nationwide.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Adelabu’s spokesman, Bolaji Tunji, the minister stressed that reliable electricity is critical to securing military facilities and protecting national assets. “The President has directed that power supply to military installations in barracks and bases must be a top priority. This is a matter of national security,” he said.
Adelabu acknowledged ongoing challenges, including inadequate metering and outdated infrastructure. He noted that contracts awarded since 2003 for metering military sites are now being revitalised, with improved implementation.
The minister also disclosed ongoing discussions with electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) to address power supply issues across all six geopolitical zones, emphasising the need for a coordinated approach.
Highlighting recent milestones, Adelabu cited the commissioning of a 3.1MW mini-grid project at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna and similar ongoing initiatives in Jaji and other locations. He assured that such projects would soon be extended to Air Force bases, with long-term plans to integrate renewable energy into military energy systems.
“A clean, stable, and cost-effective power supply is essential. The military is a strategic institution and should be treated as such—not as a commercial entity,” Adelabu stated.
Additionally, the Ministry announced plans to replace obsolete transformers and convene a high-level meeting with all 11 Discos and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to develop a sustainable power sector strategy for military infrastructure.
In his remarks, Air Marshal Abubakar praised the minister’s reform efforts, noting that stable electricity is vital not only to economic development but also to the nation’s security. He raised concerns about encroachments on dedicated transmission lines to military facilities and called for support in curbing illegal connections and resolving long-standing billing issues with Ikeja Electric.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s readiness to work with the Ministry of Power to protect critical infrastructure and implement alternative energy solutions across its installations.
Adelabu described the collaboration between the Ministry and the Air Force as a major step towards energy security, operational efficiency, and national resilience.
