Minister-designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has dismissed reports claiming he pledged to resolve Nigeria’s power grid challenges within three months, describing the reports as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Adeola Adelabu, the minister-designate clarified that his comments during the Senate screening on May 6, 2026, were misinterpreted.
According to the statement, Tegbe never gave a definite three-month timeline for fixing the country’s electricity grid, contrary to reports circulating in sections of the media.
“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.
The clarification explained that Tegbe only informed lawmakers that timelines for reforms in the power sector were still under review and would depend on further consultations and technical assessments involving key stakeholders.
The statement noted that the minister-designate assured senators that efforts to stabilise the national grid would begin within his first 100 days in office, while wider reforms in the sector could take up to one year to achieve meaningful impact.
It added that the proposed reforms would focus on restoring confidence in the sector, resolving gas supply constraints and expanding electricity metering nationwide.
“My promise to this chamber is that Nigerians will see visible improvement in the sector,” Tegbe was quoted as saying during the screening.
During the exercise, Tegbe also outlined plans to improve the stability of the national grid, upgrade electricity infrastructure, strengthen commercial operations in the industry and enforce accountability across the power value chain.
On electricity tariffs, he reportedly assured lawmakers that ongoing reforms would protect vulnerable consumers while also promoting sustainability and boosting investor confidence in the power sector.
The statement further stressed that the minister-designate remained committed to transparency, measurable progress and constructive engagement with the media as efforts continue to address Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
President Bola Tinubu recently nominated Tegbe as Minister of Power following the departure of Adebayo Adelabu during the cabinet reshuffle announced by the Presidency.
An engineer and public policy expert, Tegbe appeared before the Senate where he highlighted plans to tackle grid instability, close metering gaps and improve power infrastructure across the country.