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Nigeria’s new Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has asked Nigerians to temper expectations of an immediate turnaround in electricity supply, saying the challenges confronting the sector are the result of decades of neglect and cannot be resolved within a few months.
Speaking after his inauguration by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tegbe acknowledged the frustrations of consumers but maintained that ongoing reforms are beginning to deliver results across the electricity value chain.
His remarks come at a time when households and businesses continue to grapple with erratic power supply despite repeated government interventions and significant investments in the sector.
Tegbe said the administration is focused on addressing structural weaknesses in power generation, transmission and distribution, stressing that meaningful and lasting improvements would require patience, sustained investment and consistent policy implementation.
“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,” the minister said.
He added: “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.”
The minister revealed that since receiving Senate confirmation, he has held consultations with major stakeholders across the power sector and developed a strategy aimed at improving execution, strengthening accountability and delivering measurable results.
According to him, operators and agencies within the sector have demonstrated a readiness to support the government’s objectives, while discussions with international development partners have opened new opportunities for financial support.
“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,” Tegbe said.
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To support his optimism, the minister pointed to recent developments within the sector. Among them is the revival of the 450-megawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company after three years of inactivity. He said up to 375 megawatts from the facility are now available for transmission to the national grid.
He also cited the energisation of new transmission infrastructure in Abuja, Oyo and Ogun states by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, describing the projects as important steps towards improving grid stability and reducing network constraints.
Tegbe further referenced the restoration of electricity supply to parts of Abuja within 24 hours following the failure of a 100MVA transformer, saying the swift response reflected improving operational efficiency within the sector.
On consumer protection, the minister highlighted the recent directive by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission requiring distribution companies to compensate eligible Band A customers affected by supply shortfalls earlier in the year.
According to him, the decision demonstrates the government’s determination to ensure accountability and protect consumers while reforms continue.
Despite the challenges ahead, Tegbe insisted that the Tinubu administration remains committed to expanding access to reliable electricity and creating a power sector capable of supporting economic growth, industrial development and job creation.
“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 confirmed by the Senate a week later. His appointment places him at the centre of one of the administration’s most critical reform programmes, with expectations high that sustained improvements in electricity supply will help unlock broader economic growth and strengthen investor confidence.
