Nigeria's minister of power resigns

Barth Nnaji

Abuja: Nigeria's Power Minister Professor Barth Nnaji has resigned from his post amid accusations that the minister had direct interest in a consortium that was involved in bidding for some power projects in the country.

Announcing his resignation, Nigeria's presidency has thanked Nnaji "for his services to the nation under the present administration."

The resignation came as a surprise move as there was no prior statement by the minister in this regard.

Although reasons behind Nnaji's resignation remain officially unclear, but the minister was accused of having direct interest in a consortium that was involved in bidding for power projects of the capacity of 776 megawatts in some parts of Nigeria.

Nnaji has been lauded by various sections of people in the country for his role in improving and upgrading the ailing power sector of the country.