Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has acknowledged that many Nigerians are still experiencing unreliable electricity supply despite ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to address challenges in the power sector.
Tegbe, in a statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday, admitted that some citizens were yet to experience the improvements being recorded in the sector since he assumed office three months ago.
The minister said the government had spent the initial period diagnosing long-standing problems and implementing measures aimed at stabilising electricity supply.
According to him, some of the steps taken include the restoration of the 375-megawatt Alaoji Power Plant, which had remained inactive for three years, as well as efforts to increase transmission capacity in major cities including Lagos and Abuja.
“We spent much of this period on diagnosis and repair; restoring the 375MW Alaoji plant after three years offline, unlocking transmission capacity in Lagos, Abuja and other places, mobilising funds toward a debt burden that has quietly undermined this sector for years,” Tegbe said.
He also disclosed that more than 350,000 electricity meters had been deployed following the resolution of what he described as a legal challenge involving electricity distributors and manufacturers.
However, the minister admitted that the measures had not yet translated into consistent power supply for many households and businesses.
“Admittedly, many Nigerians are still without reliable power, and I understand the frustration of hearing about progress you haven’t personally felt yet. I’m not going to pretend that away,” he said.
Tegbe said improving Nigeria’s electricity sector would require sustained reforms and time, adding that the government would avoid making promises of quick solutions that might not be sustainable.
He further stated that there was no plan to increase electricity tariffs, insisting that his position was not influenced by political considerations.
“To be clear: there’s no plan to raise tariffs, and this is no political statement,” he added.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s focus on improving grid stability, electricity reliability, accurate billing and faster resolution of consumer complaints.
“We’re not there yet, but we’re moving,” Tegbe said.
