ABUJA, NIGERIA – June 8, 2026 – Nigeria’s newly sworn-in Honourable Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has assured Nigerians of visible and sustained improvements in electricity supply, unveiling a comprehensive power sector reform strategy aimed at delivering reliable and affordable power across the country.
Speaking during his press address after his swearing-in ceremony, Tegbe expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the nation’s power sector. He pledged to serve Nigeria with honesty, diligence, and a strong commitment to achieving measurable results.
The Minister disclosed that since the Senate confirmed his appointment, his team has moved swiftly to formulate a structured reform strategy focused on execution discipline, clear performance milestones, and public accountability.
According to Tegbe, the Ministry has already held extensive consultations with key stakeholders and agencies in the power sector, including the Ministry of Power, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), 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 the FGN Power Company.
He noted that the agencies have demonstrated strong alignment with the Federal Government’s vision and readiness to accelerate sector reforms. The Minister further revealed that discussions with international development organisations and funding partners had yielded positive outcomes, with several institutions indicating their willingness to provide liquidity support to strengthen the sector.
Highlighting early achievements recorded under the reform agenda, Tegbe announced the successful revival of the 450-megawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State, which had remained inactive for three years. He stated that up to 375 megawatts of electricity are now available for transmission to the national grid following the intervention of the NDPHC.
He also disclosed that TCN recently energized critical transmission infrastructure at Katampe in Abuja, as well as substations in Ayede and Abeokuta, thereby improving grid capacity and transmission efficiency across multiple regions.
In addition, the Minister praised the swift response of TCN and Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) personnel following the unexpected failure of a 100MVA transformer in Abuja. He noted that electricity supply was fully restored within 24 hours due to the coordinated efforts of the technical teams.
Tegbe further referenced a recent directive by NERC mandating electricity distribution companies to compensate Band A customers affected by supply shortfalls earlier in the year, describing the action as a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to consumer protection and operator accountability.
Commending the dedication of workers across the power sector, the Minister lauded the management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Power and its agencies for their professionalism, renewed commitment, and collaborative approach over the past month. He also acknowledged the contributions of private sector partners, assuring them that productivity and excellence would continue to be recognized and rewarded under his leadership.
Addressing Nigerians directly, Tegbe appealed for patience and understanding, emphasizing that the challenges facing the power sector have accumulated over several decades and cannot be resolved overnight.
“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 Nigerians every step of the way,” he stated.
The Minister reiterated that the Federal Government’s ultimate objective remains the provision of reliable, affordable, and uninterrupted electricity to homes, businesses, and industries nationwide.
He expressed confidence that under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the country is moving in the right direction toward achieving long-term stability and growth in the power sector.
“The destination is clear—reliable and affordable electricity for every Nigerian home, business, and industry around the clock. We will keep moving, we will keep delivering, and the improvements will keep coming,” Tegbe affirmed.
The address marks the beginning of what the Minister described as a results-driven era for Nigeria’s power sector, with a focus on transparency, infrastructure development, consumer protection, and sustained sectoral reforms.
INN-HOUSE☆ 