Minister-designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has dismissed reports claiming he promised to fix Nigeria’s troubled power grid within three months, describing the reports as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement released on Thursday through his spokesperson, Adeola Adelabu, Tegbe clarified that his comments during his Senate screening were wrongly interpreted by sections of the media.
In a statement released on Thursday through his spokesperson, Adeola Adelabu, Tegbe clarified that his comments during his Senate screening were wrongly interpreted by sections of the media.
According to the statement, the minister-designate never gave a three-month deadline for solving Nigeria’s electricity crisis but only explained that initial efforts to stabilise the grid would begin within his first 100 days in office.
“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,” the statement read.
Tegbe reportedly told senators during his screening on May 6, 2026, that reforms in the power sector would require proper diagnostics, consultations, and collaboration with major stakeholders before clear timelines could be established.
The statement further explained that while short-term interventions would focus on improving grid stability, larger reforms involving gas supply, electricity metering, infrastructure upgrades, and sector credibility could take up to one year to fully implement.
“My promise to this chamber is that Nigerians will see visible improvement in the sector,” Tegbe was quoted as saying during the screening.
The minister-designate also assured lawmakers that his administration would focus on modernising electricity infrastructure, strengthening commercial frameworks, improving accountability, and stabilising the national grid.
On electricity tariffs, Tegbe said planned reforms would aim to protect vulnerable Nigerians while also ensuring sustainability and investor confidence within the power sector.
“On tariff reforms, he promised to protect vulnerable households while balancing sustainability, investor confidence, and broader sector efficiency,” the statement added.
The minister-designate also expressed willingness to engage with the media to prevent misinformation and encourage accurate public understanding of ongoing reforms in the electricity sector.
“The Minister-Designate remains open to constructive media engagement and welcomes requests for clarification where necessary,” the statement concluded.
