Nigeria’s newly appointed Minister of Power, Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has assured Nigerians that the persistent problems of national grid collapses, unstable electricity supply and vandalism of power infrastructure will soon be tackled through urgent reforms.
Tegbe gave the assurance on Wednesday during his screening at the Senate plenary in Abuja, where lawmakers later confirmed his appointment after questioning him extensively on the country’s struggling power sector.
The session, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, saw senators demand practical solutions, clear timelines and accountability measures aimed at improving electricity supply and rebuilding investor confidence.
Lawmakers warned that Nigerians were tired of repeated promises and urged the minister to deliver visible improvements quickly.
Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno described the appointment as timely but stressed that the sector required immediate intervention due to repeated grid failures and weak transmission systems.
“Grid collapse has become a recurring decimal, undermining development. Transmission has failed to match generation capacity,” he said.
In response, Tegbe admitted that the country’s electricity challenges were rooted in deeper structural issues.
“Grid collapse is not accidental; it reflects deeper structural problems,” he stated.
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The minister pledged to begin reforms immediately, promising a 100-day performance window focused on stabilising the grid and introducing a public dashboard to track progress.
“If there are no results in three months, there will be none in six. Nigerians should hold us accountable,” he declared.
Tegbe also alleged that some individuals benefit from the sector’s failures and vowed to confront them.
“There are elements that do not want the system to work because they benefit from its failure. We will take them on,” he said.
Addressing the issue of vandalism, the minister described attacks on power infrastructure as a serious national security concern and promised closer cooperation with security agencies to protect critical facilities.
He further acknowledged the sector’s liquidity crisis, estimated at about N6 trillion, saying reforms would include cost-reflective tariffs while still protecting vulnerable Nigerians.
“Electricity pricing must reflect market realities, but affordability remains essential. We will ensure a fair balance,” he said.
The minister also promised improved coordination among generation, transmission and distribution companies, increased gas supply to power plants and accelerated metering nationwide to reduce estimated billing.
On rural electrification, Tegbe said the government would expand renewable energy projects and mini-grid solutions.
“Decentralised energy will be key to reaching underserved communities and ensuring inclusive access,” he noted.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin stressed the importance of reform, saying stable electricity is essential for economic growth.
“Our industries cannot thrive without reliable electricity. What we need now are results, not assurances,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Tegbe maintained that meaningful progress was achievable through discipline and transparency.
“This is a difficult assignment, but progress is achievable with transparency, discipline and collaboration. Nigerians will see change,” he said.