By Ayomide Otitoju
The Minister-Designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has said there are no quick fixes to Nigeria’s power sector challenges, pledging instead to pursue transparent, measurable, and disciplined reforms aimed at restoring stability and efficiency in the industry.
Tegbe made this known during his Senate screening on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, where he acknowledged persistent challenges across the power value chain, including grid instability, metering gaps, and weak transmission infrastructure.
He said the administration would adopt a structured reform approach anchored on execution discipline, stressing that Nigerians would be able to track progress through a transparent public performance dashboard.
“We will not do things the way we used to do before. I will not promise what I cannot deliver. We must close the metering gap and ensure Nigerians can track performance through a transparent public dashboard,” he said.
The minister-designate added that reforms would be guided by clear milestones and timelines, with emphasis on honest communication and accountability.
“We understand the issues. What is needed now is honest engagement and firm execution. We will tell Nigerians the truth,” he said, noting that efforts would focus on reducing system disturbances, strengthening transmission, and ensuring tariffs reflect actual service delivery.
Tegbe further explained that broader sector reforms—including restoring investor confidence, improving gas supply, and accelerating metering deployment—are expected to take shape within the first year of implementation.
His remarks come amid reports suggesting he promised to fix the power sector within 100 days, a claim he did not make during his screening.
The minister-designate, who previously served as Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) and Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC), has over 30 years of professional experience, including extensive work in the power sector.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and holds certifications in governance, enterprise IT, and management from institutions including Harvard and INSEAD.
Tegbe also has prior experience engaging with key sector institutions such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company in regulatory and institutional reform processes.
