Nigeria’s new Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has pledged to push wide-ranging reforms aimed at improving electricity supply across the country after officially taking office in Abuja.
He was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu alongside Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, who now serves as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The brief ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa following recent cabinet changes linked to political resignations ahead of the ruling party’s primaries.
Tegbe said his administration would focus on fixing persistent problems in power generation, transmission, and distribution. According to him, the plan is built around clear targets, stronger accountability, and measurable results for citizens.
He explained that consultations had already begun with major agencies and operators in the electricity sector, including the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, and other key institutions involved in electricity supply.
The minister also pointed to early progress in the sector, including the reported return of the 450-megawatt Alaoji power plant in Abia State, managed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, which had been out of operation for years. He said part of its capacity is now being fed into the national grid.
On transmission, Tegbe said the Transmission Company of Nigeria had completed upgrades in parts of Abuja, Oyo, and Ogun States, helping to strengthen grid performance in those areas.
He also cited improved coordination among sector operators after a recent transformer failure in Abuja was resolved within 24 hours, limiting disruption to consumers.
Tegbe further referenced recent regulatory action by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, which directed compensation for customers affected by electricity supply shortfalls earlier in the year, describing it as a step toward stronger consumer protection.
While acknowledging that Nigeria’s power challenges are long-standing, the minister urged patience, noting that improvements would come gradually as ongoing reforms take effect.
