The camp of Minister-designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has dismissed reports claiming he promised to fix Nigeria’s troubled national grid within three months, describing the reports as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Adeola A. Adelabu, the minister-designate said his remarks during his Senate screening on May 6, 2026 were misrepresented in sections of the media.
According to the statement, Tegbe never made a definitive commitment to resolve the country’s electricity challenges within three months, stressing instead that timelines for reforms are still being developed based on ongoing diagnostics and consultations with key stakeholders.
The clarification followed widespread reports suggesting the minister-designate had vowed to stabilise the national grid within a short timeframe.
Adelabu explained that Tegbe only assured lawmakers that immediate grid stabilisation efforts would begin within his first 100 days in office, while broader structural reforms in the power sector could take about a year to achieve meaningful progress.
“At his Senate screening, Mr Tegbe made no such commitment. He stated unequivocally that the timelines are still being worked on and subject to diagnostics and stakeholder engagements,” the statement noted.
It added that the reforms would focus on strengthening sector credibility, improving gas supply, expanding metering infrastructure and addressing systemic inefficiencies across the electricity value chain.
“My promise to this chamber and to Nigeria is that Nigerians will see visible improvement in the sector,” Tegbe was quoted as saying during the screening.
The minister-designate pledged to stabilise the national grid, modernise power infrastructure, improve commercial frameworks and enforce accountability across the electricity industry.
On electricity tariff reforms, Tegbe assured Nigerians that vulnerable households would be protected while government pursues policies aimed at ensuring sustainability, improving investor confidence and enhancing efficiency in the sector.
The statement further emphasised Tegbe’s commitment to transparency, disciplined execution and measurable progress in tackling the country’s longstanding electricity challenges.
It also reaffirmed his readiness to engage constructively with the media and provide clarifications where necessary.
“The Minister-designate remains open to constructive media engagement and welcomes requests for clarification where necessary, recognising the role of the media as partners in nation-building,” the statement said.
Nigeria’s power sector has continued to face major challenges, including recurring grid collapses, inadequate gas supply, poor metering and liquidity constraints, despite years of reforms and investments.
