Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has assured Nigerians that the destination of his administration is clear: delivering reliable and affordable electricity for every Nigerian home, business, and industry.
Mr Tegbe pledged on Monday during a press briefing after his swearing-in.
“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. You will see the progress as it happens.
“The destination is clear, reliable and affordable electricity for every Nigerian home, business, and industry, around the clock. 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,” Mr Tegbe said.
President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, swore in Mr Tegbe as the new Minister of Power following the resignation of the former Minister, Adebayo Adelabu.
On 22 April, Mr Adelabu officially tendered his resignation. He said the decision to step down is informed by his intention to focus fully on his gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State.
Mr Tinubu on 30 April nominated Mr Tegbe, who the Senate duly cleared on Wednesday, 6 May.
Mr Tegbe said that since the Senate confirmed his appointment, he has hit the ground running.
“Within this period, we have drawn up a structured power sector reform strategy anchored in execution discipline, clear milestones, and public accountability.
“We have held substantive engagements with all critical sector agencies; the Ministry of Power, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), and Federal Government of Nigeria Power Company, among other players.
“They have been very supportive, aligned, and ready to deliver. We have also held productive discussions with International Development Organisations and funding agencies/partners, who have expressed willingness to provide liquidity support to the sector; a significant vote of confidence in the direction of our reforms,” he said.
He said preliminary results are already visible.
He added that the 450-Megawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State, which had been shut down for three years, has been revived by Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), with up to 375 Megawatts now available for dispatch to the national grid.
He said TCN has energised new transmission assets at Katampe in Abuja and at substations in Ayede and Abeokuta, strengthening grid capacity across multiple regions.
“When a 100MVA transformer failed unexpectedly in Abuja, TCN and Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) teams worked through the night and fully restored supply within 24 hours.
“Also, NERC has recently directed distribution companies (DisCos) to compensate Band A customers for supply shortfalls recorded earlier this year, a firm signal that consumers will be protected and that operators will be held accountable.”
All of these, the minister said, happened, not by accident but because of the renewed commitment of the people.
“I wish to take this opportunity to commend, sincerely and unreservedly, the management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Power and all its agencies for their renewed dedication, professionalism, and cooperative spirit over the past month.
“I equally commend our private sector partners who have shown genuine willingness to work with us toward common goals. I assure all of them: under this leadership, productivity and excellence will always be acknowledged and rewarded.
“To Nigerians, we seek your understanding. 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. Let me reiterate the commitment made before the Senate,” the minister said.
