The Minister-designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has come forward to set the record straight regarding reports that he promised to overhaul Nigeria’s national power grid in just ninety days. Addressing the viral claims, Tegbe described the narrative as a total misrepresentation of the testimony he gave during his Senate screening.
In a clarifying statement released through his spokesperson, Adeola Adelabu, it was emphasized that no such three-month deadline was ever set. Tegbe informed the Senate on May 6, 2026, that while the urgency of the power crisis is clear, any realistic timeline for deep-rooted reforms must be based on thorough technical diagnostics and wide-ranging consultations with industry stakeholders.
The Minister-designate explained that the public can expect to see initial efforts aimed at stabilizing the grid within his first 100 days in office. However, he was careful to note that broader structural issues—including gas supply stability, the credibility of the sector, and the massive task of electricity metering—would likely require at least a year of focused work. His core message to the lawmakers was a commitment to visible, steady improvement rather than overnight miracles.
Beyond technical fixes, Tegbe outlined a vision for modernizing infrastructure and ensuring accountability across the entire electricity value chain. He also touched on the sensitive issue of electricity tariffs, assuring Nigerians that upcoming reforms would be designed to shield vulnerable households while still building a system that attracts investors and operates efficiently.
Joseph Tegbe was recently nominated by President Bola Tinubu to lead the ministry following a cabinet reshuffle that marked the departure of Adebayo Adelabu. As he prepares to take the helm, Tegbe has expressed a desire for constructive engagement with the press, urging media platforms to prioritize accuracy to ensure the public fully understands the complexities of the reforms ahead.
