Minister-designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has denied reports claiming he promised to fix Nigeria’s power grid within three months, describing the reports as a misrepresentation of his remarks during his Senate screening.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday by his spokesperson, Adeola Adelabu, Tegbe clarified that he never gave a specific three-month deadline for resolving the country’s electricity challenges.
“Our attention has been drawn to inaccurate media reports alleging that the Honourable Minister-designate, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, promised to fix Nigeria’s power grid within three months. This claim is a clear misrepresentation of his remarks,” the statement read.
According to the statement, Tegbe told senators during his screening on May 6, 2026, that timelines for reforms in the power sector were still being worked out and would depend on diagnostics and consultations with stakeholders.
The minister-designate explained that while initial efforts to stabilise the national grid would begin within his first 100 days in office, wider structural reforms involving sector credibility, gas supply and electricity metering could take about one year.
“My promise to this chamber is that Nigerians will see visible improvement in the sector,” Tegbe reportedly told lawmakers during the screening.
He also pledged to stabilise the national grid, modernise electricity infrastructure, improve commercial frameworks and enforce accountability across the power value chain.
On electricity tariffs, Tegbe assured lawmakers that reforms would protect vulnerable households while balancing sustainability, investor confidence and efficiency in the sector.
The statement added that the minister-designate remained open to constructive engagement with the media and welcomed requests for clarification to ensure accurate public understanding of planned reforms in the power sector.