Nigeria’s minister of power designate, Joseph Tegbe, has pushed back against reports claiming he promised to fix the country’s troubled national grid within three months.
In a statement released on Thursday, his spokesperson described the reports as “inaccurate and misleading,” clarifying that no such commitment was made during his Senate screening on May 6, 2026.
What Tegbe Actually Said
According to the statement, Tegbe emphasized that no fixed timeline has been set yet for power sector reforms. He explained that any concrete timeline would depend on:
Technical diagnostics
Stakeholder consultations
Sector-wide assessments
Rather than making bold promises, Tegbe noted that reforms would be carefully planned and executed.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Plans
While dismissing the three-month claim, Tegbe did outline a more realistic approach:
First 100 days: Begin efforts to stabilize the national grid
Up to one year: Achieve meaningful progress in deeper structural reforms
These reforms are expected to address critical issues such as:
Power sector credibility
Gas supply challenges
Metering gaps
Operational inefficiencies
Commitment to Improvement
During his screening, Tegbe assured lawmakers that Nigerians would begin to see visible improvements in the power sector.
His broader goals include:
Stabilizing the national grid
Modernizing electricity infrastructure
Strengthening commercial frameworks
Enforcing accountability across the power value chain
What About Electricity Tariffs?
On tariff reforms, Tegbe struck a balancing tone. He assured that:
Vulnerable households will be protected
Policies will aim to balance affordability with sector sustainability
Investor confidence and operational efficiency will remain priorities
Final Note
Tegbe also reaffirmed his openness to engaging with the media, urging journalists to verify information to prevent the spread of misinformation.