“I never promised to fix power grid in three months” — Tegbe

The Minister-designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has denied reports claiming he promised to fix Nigeria’s national power grid within three months.

Mr Tegbe, through his spokesperson Adeola Adelabu, described the reports as a misrepresentation of comments made during his Senate screening on 06 May 2026.

The clarification was issued on Thursday in a statement posted on X, insisting that no such timeline was committed to during his appearance before lawmakers.

Clarification on senate screening remarks

According to the statement, Mr Tegbe did not promise a three-month turnaround for the power sector but only referenced phased reforms subject to technical assessments and consultations.

“Our attention has been drawn to inaccurate media reports alleging that the Honourable Minister-designate… promised to fix Nigeria’s power grid within three months. This claim is a clear misrepresentation,” the statement read.

He instead explained that initial interventions aimed at stabilising the grid would begin within his first 100 days in office, while broader reforms could take up to one year.

Reform timeline and sector plans

During his screening before the Senate of Nigeria, Mr Tegbe reportedly said Nigerians should expect gradual but visible improvements rather than immediate fixes.

“My promise to this chamber is that Nigerians will see visible improvement in the sector,” he was quoted as saying.

He outlined plans focused on stabilising the national grid, addressing gas supply constraints, improving metering coverage, and modernising electricity infrastructure.

Sector challenges and policy focus

Mr Tegbe also pledged reforms aimed at improving accountability across the electricity value chain, strengthening commercial frameworks, and restoring investor confidence in the sector.

He further noted that tariff reforms would be designed to protect vulnerable consumers while ensuring long-term sustainability of the power market.

Appointment and expectations

Mr Tegbe was nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Minister of Power following a cabinet reshuffle that saw the exit of former minister Adebayo Adelabu.

An engineer and public policy expert, he has pledged to prioritise grid stability, reduce power losses, and improve electricity access nationwide.

The minister-designate said he remains committed to transparency, measurable outcomes, and continuous engagement with stakeholders and the media.