Nigeria's Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has acknowledged that many Nigerians are still without reliable electricity. He made this statement on his X handle on Tuesday, September 23, 2026. Tegbe expressed understanding of the frustration of Nigerians who have yet to experience improvements in the power sector since he assumed office three months ago. He emphasized that his administration has been working to address longstanding challenges in the sector.
Tegbe's administration has focused on diagnosing and addressing longstanding challenges in the power sector. One of the key achievements is the restoration of the 375-megawatt Alaoji power plant, which had been offline for three years. Additionally, the government has worked to unlock transmission capacity in Lagos, Abuja, and other places. The minister also mentioned that his administration has been mobilizing funds to address a debt burden that has undermined the sector for years.
The government has also deployed over 350,000 electricity meters following the resolution of a legal quagmire involving the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors and Manufacturers of Nigeria. This move aims to improve the metering of electricity and reduce disputes between electricity distributors and consumers. However, Tegbe admitted that these measures have yet to translate into reliable electricity for many Nigerians.
Tegbe acknowledged the frustration of Nigerians who have not yet experienced the improvements in the power sector. He stated that he understands the disappointment of hearing about progress that has not been personally felt. The minister emphasized that fixing the power sector would require time and sustained reforms. He stressed that he would not make promises of quick solutions that would not be sustainable.
The minister's statement comes as many Nigerians continue to face challenges with electricity supply. Despite efforts to improve power supply, many households and businesses still experience frequent power outages. Tegbe's administration has been working to address these challenges, but the impact has yet to be felt by many Nigerians.
The power sector in Nigeria has faced significant challenges in recent years, including inadequate generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. The sector has also been plagued by a debt burden that has made it difficult for operators to provide reliable electricity. Tegbe's administration has been working to address these challenges, but the road to reliable electricity for all Nigerians appears to be long.
The government's efforts to improve the power sector are ongoing, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Tegbe's administration is working to ensure that the progress made in the sector is felt by all Nigerians. The minister's commitment to transparency and sustained reforms is seen as a positive step towards addressing the challenges in the power sector.
Key points
- Nigeria's Power Minister Joseph Tegbe acknowledges many Nigerians still lack reliable electricity despite government efforts to improve power supply.
- The government has restored the 375-megawatt Alaoji power plant and deployed over 350,000 electricity meters.
- Tegbe's administration is working on sustained reforms to address the challenges in the power sector.