By Ayomide Otitoju
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has pledged to drive reforms in the electricity sector with diligence, transparency and accountability, assuring Nigerians that efforts are already yielding positive results across the industry.
Speaking after his swearing-in, Tegbe expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and vowed to serve the country with honesty and dedication.
The minister said he had worked with industry experts to develop a structured reform strategy anchored on execution discipline, measurable milestones and public accountability.
According to him, his team commenced work immediately after his Senate confirmation and has since engaged key institutions across the power value chain, including the Federal Ministry of Power, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Rural Electrification Agency and the FGN Power Holding Company.
Tegbe said the agencies are aligned on the government’s reform agenda and prepared to support its implementation.
He also disclosed that discussions with international development organisations and funding partners had produced encouraging outcomes, with several partners indicating a willingness to provide liquidity support to strengthen the sector.
Highlighting early achievements, the minister said the 450-megawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State, which had remained inactive for three years, had been revived by NDPHC and now has up to 375 megawatts available for transmission to the national grid.
He further noted that TCN recently energised new transmission infrastructure at Katampe in Abuja, as well as substations in Ayede and Abeokuta, boosting electricity transmission capacity in multiple regions.
On consumer protection, Tegbe referenced NERC’s directive requiring electricity distribution companies to compensate Band A customers for service shortfalls recorded earlier in the year, describing the move as evidence of the government’s commitment to protecting consumers and enforcing accountability within the sector.
He also cited the restoration of electricity supply in Abuja within 24 hours following the unexpected failure of a 100MVA transformer, attributing the quick response to coordinated efforts by TCN and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.
The minister commended the leadership and staff of the Ministry of Power and its agencies for their professionalism and commitment, while also acknowledging the support of private sector stakeholders.
He assured industry players that excellence and productivity would be recognised and rewarded under his administration.
Addressing concerns over electricity supply, Tegbe urged Nigerians to remain patient, noting that longstanding challenges in the power sector could not be resolved overnight.
He reiterated his commitment to delivering measurable improvements and maintaining open communication with the public, stressing that he would not make promises beyond what could realistically be achieved.
