Tegbe commits to diligent reforms in power sector

The new Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has pledged to serve Nigerians with honesty and diligence.

He said he has worked with experts to develop a structured reform strategy anchored on discipline, clear milestones, and public accountability.

Tegbe thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment, adding that his team “hit the ground running” after his Senate confirmation.

According to him, substantive engagements have already been held with all critical sector agencies, including the Ministry of Power, Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Rural Electrification Agency, REA, FGN Power Holding Company, and other stakeholders.

He said the agencies are aligned and ready to deliver on the reform agenda. Discussions with international development organizations and funding partners have also yielded positive signals, with partners expressing willingness to provide liquidity support to the sector.

–Early wins on the grid–

Tegbe noted that preliminary results are already visible. The 450MW Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State, which was shut down for three years, has been revived by NDPHC and now has up to 375MW available for dispatch to the national grid.

He also said TCN recently energized new transmission assets at Katampe in Abuja, and at substations in Ayede and Abeokuta, strengthening capacity across multiple regions.

–Consumer protection–

On consumer protection, he cited NERC’s directive to distribution companies to compensate Band A customers for supply shortfalls recorded earlier this year. He described it as a firm signal that consumers will be protected and operators held accountable.

He also highlighted a rapid response in Abuja where TCN and Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, teams restored supply within 24 hours after a 100MVA transformer failed unexpectedly.

–Call for patience–

The minister commended the management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Power and its agencies for renewed dedication and professionalism over the past month. He also acknowledged private sector partners for their willingness to work toward common goals, assuring them that productivity and excellence will be recognized and rewarded.

Addressing Nigerians, Tegbe asked for patience and understanding, noting that decades of challenges in the power sector cannot be reversed in weeks or months. He reiterated his Senate pledge: “I will not promise what I cannot deliver, but Nigerians will see visible improvement and honest communication every step of the way.”