Power Challenges Won’t Disappear Overnight, New Minister Tegbe Tells Nigerians

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s newly inaugurated Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has urged Nigerians to temper expectations of an immediate transformation in electricity supply, saying the country’s longstanding power sector challenges cannot be resolved within a few months.

Speaking on Monday shortly after being sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, Tegbe said the Federal Government remains committed to ongoing reforms across the electricity value chain but stressed that sustainable improvements would take time.

According to the minister, the challenges affecting electricity generation, transmission and distribution have accumulated over several decades and require consistent efforts to address.

“The challenges that have kept this sector below its potential were decades in the making. They will not be fully reversed in weeks or months,” Tegbe said.

“I will not promise what I cannot deliver, but I promise visible improvement as you have been seeing, and I will continue to communicate honestly with you every step of the way.”

Government Highlights Early Gains in Power Sector

Tegbe said he had engaged with key agencies and operators across the power industry since his confirmation by the Senate and had developed a reform strategy focused on execution, accountability and measurable outcomes.

He noted that stakeholders across the sector had demonstrated readiness to support the government’s objectives, while international development organisations and funding partners had also expressed willingness to provide liquidity support to the industry.

“We have also held productive discussions with international development organisations and funding partners who have expressed willingness to provide liquidity support to the power sector. This is a significant vote of confidence in the direction of our reforms,” he said.

The minister pointed to several recent developments as evidence of progress within the sector.

Among them is the revival of the Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company. According to Tegbe, the facility, which had remained inactive for three years, has resumed operations with up to 375 megawatts of electricity now available for transmission to the national grid.

He also disclosed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria had recently energised new transmission assets in Abuja, Oyo and Ogun states to improve grid stability and increase transmission capacity.

Tegbe further cited the restoration of electricity supply to parts of Abuja within 24 hours following the failure of a 100MVA transformer as an example of improved responsiveness within the sector.

The minister also referenced a recent directive issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission requiring electricity distribution companies to compensate eligible Band A customers affected by supply shortfalls earlier in the year.

According to him, the directive underscores the government’s commitment to consumer protection and greater accountability across the electricity industry.

Call for Patience as Reforms Continue

Despite the early gains, Tegbe acknowledged that achieving reliable and affordable electricity nationwide remains a long-term goal.

“The destination is clear — reliable and affordable electricity for every Nigerian home, business and industry, around the clock,” he said.

“That journey is a long one. But under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we are firmly headed in the right direction. We will keep moving. We will keep delivering. And the improvements will keep coming.”

Tegbe was nominated as minister of power by President Tinubu on April 30 and received Senate confirmation a week later. He now takes charge of one of Nigeria’s most challenging sectors amid growing public demand for improved electricity supply and stronger infrastructure across the country.

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A Lagos-based journalist with a passion for disseminating factual information and a deep appreciation for good music, good food, movies, and beautiful cars. He hopes to travel the world someday, documenting its beauty and diverse cultures through his storytelling.