Nigeria’s newly sworn-in Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has promised Nigerians that visible improvements in electricity supply are imminent, even as he cautioned against expectations of an overnight turnaround in the long-troubled sector.
Tegbe made the pledge on Monday shortly after President Bola Tinubu administered his oath of office, telling journalists that while no quick fix exists for the sector’s deep-rooted challenges, the administration’s sustained efforts would soon become apparent to ordinary Nigerians.
“This is a sector that we all know has a couple of challenges and a lot of efforts is being put into this sector by this current administration. People might not appreciate it but very soon people will appreciate it,” he said.
The minister reiterated a position he had staked out during his Senate confirmation hearing, stopping short of guaranteeing round-the-clock power supply but committing to measurable progress.
“I am not promising a magic wand. I am not promising 24 hours, seven days a week power. We will get there ultimately. But what I promise Nigerians is that we will see visible improvements,” Tegbe said.
He disclosed that over the four weeks between his Senate confirmation and his swearing-in, he had held engagement sessions with key sector institutions, including the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), all of which he said had given firm commitments on deliverables.
Tegbe pointed to two recent developments as early indicators of improved momentum: the restoration of a Katampe feeder station by TCN engineers within 24 hours of a fault, and the resumption of operations by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company after a three-year shutdown.
“If you see some things that some of the people in the sector have done in the last couple of weeks it will marvel you that it is coming out of our people,” he said.
The minister appealed for public patience and support, urging Nigerians to bear with the administration as it works to address gaps across the generation, transmission and distribution segments of the power value chain.
“Nigerians should please bear with us. The President understands the challenges. We are addressing those challenges and we will make sure we fix it both in generation, transmission and distribution,” he said.
He closed with an appeal for prayers, expressing confidence that the country’s electricity crisis would be resolved.
“Very soon Nigeria will be lit up by God’s grace,” Tegbe added.
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