Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria’s newly confirmed Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has pledged to tackle the country’s recurring national grid collapses within his first 100 days in office, promising Nigerians noticeable improvements in electricity stability within three months.
Tegbe made the commitment on Wednesday during his screening before the Senate, where he outlined his immediate priorities for the nation’s troubled power sector.
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Addressing lawmakers, the minister said stabilising the national grid would be the cornerstone of his early reform agenda.
“The first phase in the 100 days is to stabilise that grid,” he said.
He further stressed the urgency of the intervention, noting that tangible results should emerge within the first three months of his administration.
“If you don’t see these in three months, it means you won’t see it in six months,” Tegbe added.
The minister identified the sector’s deep financial crisis as one of the major impediments to reliable electricity supply, revealing that the Nigerian power industry is currently burdened by an estimated ₦6 trillion debt.
He said the government would enforce stricter operational discipline across the electricity value chain to minimise system failures and improve service delivery nationwide.
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Tegbe also pledged to accelerate the rollout of electricity meters as part of efforts to reduce estimated billing and restore consumer confidence in the sector.
During the screening session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio warned the minister about vested interests allegedly benefiting from the country’s unstable power supply, including operators within the generator business ecosystem.
Akpabio cautioned that meaningful reforms in the electricity sector could face resistance from groups profiting from persistent outages and emergency repair contracts.
The Senate subsequently confirmed Tegbe’s appointment as Minister of Power.
Before his appointment, Tegbe served as Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership and previously held senior executive positions at KPMG Africa.
Nigeria’s power sector has continued to grapple with chronic transmission and infrastructure challenges, with repeated national grid collapses causing widespread blackouts and disruptions to economic activities across the country.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
