Works and Power Sectors Identified as Tinubu’s Primary Public Relations Liabilities in 2025

The administration of President Bola Tinubu has come under intense scrutiny regarding its performance in critical infrastructure sectors, with a prominent media analyst, Taiwo Adisa, labeling the Ministries of Works and Power as the government's most significant public relations liabilities in the year 2025. In a detailed assessment of the state of the nation, the critique posits that while the government faces three major challenges—insecurity, power, and works—it is the latter two that have morphed into embarrassing symbols of inefficiency. The argument is anchored on the premise that while insecurity is a historical challenge inherited by successive administrations, the failures in providing stable electricity and motorable roads are viewed by the public as solvable problems that have worsened under the current stewardship. The inability of the appointed ministers to proffer progressive solutions is said to be "de-marketing" the President faster than his political opponents ever could.  

The spotlight on the power sector is particularly harsh, citing a trajectory of decline rather than the "Renewed Hope" promised at the inception of the administration. The analysis points to a disturbing record of national grid instability, noting that after recording twelve total grid collapses in 2024, the trend continued unabated into 2025 with several major system failures. A specific reference is made to the plight of Oyo State, particularly Ibadan, the state capital, which reportedly spent the vast majority of December 2025 in total darkness. This persistent energy crisis is described not just as an economic dampener but as a daily irritant to the citizenry, serving as a constant reminder of the government's failure to deliver on its most basic utility mandate. The critique suggests that for a country with Nigeria’s potential, the continued inability to keep the lights on is an inexcusable administrative lapse.  

Considerable criticism is directed personally at the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who has now spent over two years in the saddle without delivering a credible, lasting solution to the sector's woes. The assessment argues that fixing the power sector does not require "rocket science" but rather competence and focused leadership—qualities that appear to be in short supply. The text contrasts the Minister's frequent technical explanations and promises with the dark reality facing homes and businesses across the nation. It suggests that the Minister's tenure has been defined more by rhetoric than by megawatts, leading to a situation where the power ministry has become a primary source of public frustration and embarrassment for the Tinubu presidency. The disconnect between official pronouncements of progress and the blackened cities is identified as a fatal flaw in the government's communication strategy.  

The Ministry of Works, helmed by Engineer Dave Umahi, is described in the analysis as the "alter ego" of the power sector in terms of non-performance. The critique moves beyond the Minister’s personal energy to the tangible results on the ground, questioning the strategic wisdom of the current infrastructure agenda. While the administration has busied itself with the announcement and commencement of colossal "legacy projects" such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, existing federal roads that serve as the economic arteries of the nation have been left to rot. The argument is made that a government cannot claim success by starting new trillion-naira ventures while the roads used daily by the majority of citizens for commerce and commute are riddled with craters and death traps.  

The analysis further delves into the political implications of these infrastructural failures, particularly as the nation inches closer to the 2027 election cycle. It is observed that the visible decay in the Works and Power sectors serves as powerful anti-government propaganda that requires no funding from the opposition. Every pothole that damages a vehicle and every power outage that spoils food in a freezer serves as a campaign poster against the incumbent. The critique warns that the President’s image is being systematically eroded by the incompetence of his appointees in these key ministries. Despite potential successes in other areas, such as revenue generation or fiscal reforms, the tangible misery inflicted by bad roads and darkness dominates the public consciousness and shapes voter sentiment.  

There is also a broader commentary on the nature of governance and accountability within the Tinubu administration. The piece suggests that the President may be insulated from the true extent of public anger or is being served by a cadre of appointees who prioritize "sycophancy" over service delivery. The failure to hold these ministers accountable for their "below-par offerings" is interpreted as a weakness that emboldens mediocrity. The analysis recalls previous warnings and scorecards that flagged Minister Umahi’s performance as insufficient, noting that these early alarm bells were ignored. Now, in 2025, the chickens have come home to roost, with the Works sector failing to deliver tangible rehabilitation even in politically strategic regions, thereby alienating crucial voting blocs.  

The comparison between the promise of the administration and the reality of 2025 paints a grim picture of missed opportunities. The "Renewed Hope" agenda was sold on the premise of rapid industrialization and economic revitalization, both of which are impossible without stable power and good roads. By failing to secure these two pillars, the government is accused of sabotaging its own economic philosophy. The manufacturing sector cannot grow on diesel generators, and agricultural produce cannot reach markets on non-existent roads. The critique posits that the Ministers of Works and Power are effectively neutralizing the efforts of the economic team, creating a disjointed administration where one hand destroys what the other builds.

Ultimately, the assessment serves as a wake-up call to the Presidency to urgently rejig its team and reprioritize its goals. It concludes that the Works and Power sectors have topped the list of "backbenchers" for two consecutive years, acting as heavy anchors dragging down the ship of state. The recommendation is implicit but clear: for President Tinubu to salvage his public image and secure a favorable legacy, he must look beyond loyalty and appoint individuals capable of delivering immediate, tangible results in infrastructure. As 2025 draws to a close, the verdict is that without drastic changes, these two ministries will remain the administration's most potent political adversaries, campaigning vigorously against the President’s re-election through their sheer incompetence.