The federal government has inaugurated a gas-to-power monitoring committee as part of renewed efforts to address persistent gas supply challenges undermining electricity generation across the country.

In a statement on Thursday, power minister Adebayo Adelabu, while inaugurating the committee, described the move as a “decisive and strategic step” aimed at resolving one of the most critical constraints in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

Mr Adelabu noted that gas-fired plants, which account for about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity generation, have continued to face setbacks due to supply disruptions, pipeline vandalism, mounting debts to gas producers, and weak coordination within the sector.

He said that the inauguration signalled the government’s resolve to move away from the status quo that has limited generation capacity and hindered reliable power supply to Nigerians.

“Today’s  inauguration marks a decisive and strategic step in our collective efforts to resolve one of the most persistent bottlenecks constraining electricity generation across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry in the country, which is the challenge of gas supply to our power generation stations,” he said.

Mr Adelabu added, “Weak sector coordination continues to undermine  generation capacity and deprive Nigerians of reliable electricity.”

He said that the committee was constituted following deliberations at the first quarter of  2026 Ministerial Power Sector Working Group meeting.

According to him, key issues affecting gas supply, including infrastructure gaps, liquidity constraints, and pricing challenges, were identified at the meeting.

”The committee is expected to monitor and drive the resolution of critical issues such as the repair and maintenance of damaged gas pipelines. Also discussed are settlement of outstanding debts to gas suppliers, and other commercial and operational barriers affecting gas availability to power plants,” he said.

Mr Adelabu urged members of the committee to go beyond routine oversight by providing proactive and actionable recommendations, particularly on mechanisms to guarantee payment for gas supplies and ensure sustainability.

He added that the committee would be held accountable for measurable progress, with expectations for regular reports, clear milestones, and escalation of critical issues requiring government intervention.

“Beyond monitoring, I expect this committee to be proactive,  function, not merely exist. You must come forward with actionable recommendations, particularly on mechanisms to guarantee payment for gas supplies. The era of reactive, piecemeal responses must give way to systematic, well-coordinated interventions backed by data, clear timelines and institutional accountability.

”I expect regular reports on tracked developments, escalation of issues that require ministerial or inter-agency attention, and clear implementation milestones. We will hold this committee accountable, and in turn, we will give you the institutional support you need to succeed,” the minister explained.

The minister expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to deliver, noting that its composition reflects broad stakeholder representation across the gas-to-power value chain.

(NAN)