By Godswill Michael
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has appealed to Nigerians to remain patient with ongoing reforms in the electricity sector, stating that early signs of progress are already emerging despite decades-long challenges.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday shortly after his swearing-in, Tegbe acknowledged the frustrations of electricity consumers but emphasized that problems that have hindered the sector for years cannot be resolved within a short period.
“The challenges that have kept this sector below its potential were decades in the making. They will not be fully reversed in weeks or months,” he said.
Nigeria’s power sector has struggled for years with inadequate electricity supply despite multiple reform initiatives and significant investments. Ageing infrastructure, liquidity constraints, gas supply shortages, transmission bottlenecks, and operational inefficiencies have continued to limit performance, forcing many households and businesses to rely heavily on generators and alternative energy sources.
Tegbe, who expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his appointment, said the Ministry of Power had moved quickly since his Senate confirmation to establish a structured reform agenda focused on accountability, disciplined execution, and measurable outcomes.
According to the minister, consultations have already been held with major stakeholders across the electricity value chain, including the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).
He added that engagements with international development partners and funding institutions have received encouraging responses, with several organisations expressing interest in supporting efforts to address liquidity challenges within the sector.
Highlighting recent achievements, Tegbe pointed to the revival of the 450-megawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State by NDPHC. The facility, which had remained inactive for approximately three years, now has up to 375 megawatts available for dispatch to the national grid.
The development is expected to boost available generation capacity in a country where electricity supply frequently falls short of demand, contributing to recurring outages and grid instability.
The minister also noted that TCN recently energised new transmission infrastructure at Katampe in Abuja and substations in Ayede and Abeokuta, projects aimed at strengthening grid capacity and improving power delivery across several regions.
In another sign of improved operational efficiency, Tegbe cited the replacement of a failed 100MVA transformer in Abuja, where TCN and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company restored electricity supply within 24 hours.
On consumer protection, he referenced a recent NERC directive requiring electricity distribution companies to compensate Band A customers affected by service shortfalls earlier this year.
According to Tegbe, the directive demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting consumers while ensuring operators are held accountable for meeting service obligations.
“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 you every step of the way,” he said.
The minister commended staff of the Ministry of Power, its agencies, and private-sector stakeholders for their renewed commitment to addressing the sector’s longstanding challenges.
He reiterated that the ultimate goal of the government’s reform programme is to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to homes, businesses, and industries nationwide.
“The destination is clear: reliable and affordable electricity for every Nigerian home, business, and industry, around the clock,” Tegbe said, adding that reforms under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would continue to drive improvements across the sector.