By Abiola Olawale
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has triggered massive criticism after a viral video surfaced showing him flaunting a luxurious multi-million-naira mansion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The New Diplomat reports that the opulent display of the multimillionaire massive edifice comes at a time when Nigeria’s power sector is grappling with severe challenges, including frequent grid collapses, a liquidity crisis, and inadequate electricity supply affecting millions of citizens and businesses across Nigeria.
In the trending video seen by The New Diplomat, Adelabu is seen touring the extravagant, white-furnished mansion alongside supporters, some of whom referred to it as the “next Oyo State government house,” hinting at his rumored ambition to contest the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket in 2027 in a race for the governorship.
The mansion, reportedly worth millions of naira, features high-end fittings and lavish interiors, starkly contrasting the dire energy situation under Minister Adelabu’s oversight.
Industry experts who have shared their thoughts on the energy sector, argue that Adelabu presides over a power sector plagued by multi-dimensional issues, including a N4 trillion legacy debt owed to electricity generation companies as of the end of 2024, aging infrastructure, and problematic tariff structures.
According to a June 2025 World Bank report, 86.8 million of Nigerians—more than any other country globally—lack access to electricity, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
Recall also that in 2024, Adelabu championed a tariff hike for Band A consumers, increasing rates from N66 to N209.5 per kilowatt-hour, a move that sparked affordability concerns for households and businesses.
