Minister-designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has dismissed reports claiming he vowed to repair Nigeria’s troubled national grid within three months.
Tegbe described the reports as false and a distortion of comments he made during his Senate screening held on May 6, 2026.
In a statement issued on Thursday through his spokesperson, Adeola Adelabu, the minister-designate said he never made such a promise before lawmakers.
“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. At his Senate screening on May 6, 2026, Mr Tegbe made no such commitment,” the statement read.
According to the statement, Tegbe only explained that timelines for reforms in the power sector were still being developed and would depend on consultations, technical assessments and stakeholder engagements.
The statement noted that the minister-designate assured senators that immediate interventions aimed at stabilising the national grid would begin within his first 100 days in office, while broader reforms in the sector may take up to one year.
Tegbe was also said to have outlined plans to improve the credibility of the electricity sector, address gas supply constraints and expand metering nationwide.
“My promise to this chamber is that Nigerians will see visible improvement in the sector,” Tegbe reportedly told the Senate during the screening exercise.
He further pledged to strengthen grid stability, modernise electricity infrastructure, improve commercial systems and enforce accountability across the power value chain.
On electricity tariffs, the minister-designate reportedly assured lawmakers that any reforms introduced under his watch would protect vulnerable Nigerians while also sustaining investor confidence in the industry.
The statement added that Tegbe remained committed to transparency, measurable progress and continued engagement with the media on efforts to address Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
Bola Tinubu had recently nominated Tegbe as Minister of Power following the exit of Adebayo Adelabu during the cabinet reshuffle announced by the Presidency.
