Minister-designate Denies Promising Three-Month Fix for Nigeria's Power Grid

In Nigeria, the perennial challenge of the power sector remains a critical issue, and the recent clarification from Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, the Minister-designate for Power, addresses a potential misunderstanding surrounding his commitment to fixing the national grid. Reports had circulated suggesting Tegbe promised a three-month turnaround, a claim his team has now firmly refuted as a misrepresentation of his statements during his Senate screening on May 6, 2026.

According to his spokesperson, Adeola Adelabu, Tegbe's actual remarks indicated that while efforts to stabilize the grid would commence within his first 100 days in office, comprehensive structural reforms would likely require approximately one year. This nuanced approach acknowledges the complexity of overhauling a sector plagued by decades of underinvestment and mismanagement. The focus, as outlined by Tegbe, will be on enhancing sector credibility, addressing gas supply issues, expanding electricity metering, and ultimately ensuring visible improvements for Nigerians.

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Our attention has been drawn to inaccurate media reports alleging that the Honourable Minister-designate, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, promised to fix Nigeria’s power grid within three months. This claim is a clear misrepresentation of his remarks.

This distinction is crucial for managing public expectations. Nigerians have long endured erratic power supply, and any pronouncements about fixing the grid are met with both hope and skepticism. Tegbe's clarification, emphasizing a phased approach and stakeholder consultations, signals a potentially more realistic and sustainable strategy. It avoids the pitfalls of overpromising and underdelivering, which has characterized past attempts at power sector reform.

From a Nigerian perspective, the power sector is not just an economic issue but a fundamental aspect of daily life and national development. Tegbe's emphasis on stabilizing the grid, modernizing infrastructure, and improving commercial frameworks, while also assuring protection for vulnerable consumers, reflects an understanding of the multifaceted challenges. His commitment to transparency and measurable progress is a welcome sign, as the nation looks to him to bring about tangible change in a sector vital to its progress.

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My promise to this chamber is that Nigerians will see visible improvement in the sector.