New Power Minister Tegbe Dismisses Reports He Pledged to Fix National Grid in Three Months

Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, the Minister-designate for Power in President Tinubu's cabinet, has dismissed viral reports claiming he made a pledge to fix Nigeria's chronically troubled national electricity grid within three months of taking office. Tegbe described the reports as a misrepresentation of his actual statements and clarified his position on the timeline and scope of power sector reforms he intends to pursue.

The power sector is one of the most politically and economically sensitive portfolios in the Nigerian government given the central role of reliable electricity in economic activity, quality of life, and the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.

What Was Reported and What He Actually Said

Reports had circulated online suggesting that Tegbe made a bold commitment to resolve Nigeria's power supply crisis within a specific three-month timeframe. The claim generated both enthusiasm among Nigerians desperate for electricity improvements and scepticism among those who have heard similar promises from successive power ministers without seeing transformative results.

Tegbe clarified that while he is committed to making measurable progress in the power sector, the reports about a specific three-month promise were not an accurate reflection of what he said. He acknowledged the scale and complexity of Nigeria's electricity challenges and indicated that his approach would focus on identified quick wins within the existing infrastructure while building toward longer-term structural improvements.

Nigeria's Power Crisis in Context

Nigeria's electricity crisis is one of the most persistent structural challenges facing the country. The national grid operates significantly below its installed generation capacity due to gas supply constraints, transmission infrastructure weaknesses, distribution losses, and financial challenges facing electricity distribution companies. Millions of Nigerians rely on private generators for power, creating a massive cost burden on households and businesses that represents a major drag on productivity and quality of life.