Nigeria’s Minister of Power nominee, Joseph Tegbe, has pledged to pursue noticeable reforms in the electricity sector, while admitting that delivering uninterrupted power supply across the country will not happen overnight.
Speaking during his screening before the Senate on Wednesday, Tegbe said Nigeria’s power challenges require practical solutions rather than empty assurances.
He stressed that his priority would be achieving measurable progress that Nigerians can quickly experience if he is confirmed for the position.
According to him, electricity plays a critical role in national development, economic growth, and everyday living, yet the sector continues to struggle with persistent problems including unreliable supply, disputed billing, weak infrastructure, and growing distrust between consumers and service providers.
Tegbe noted that one of the major issues affecting the sector is the country’s significant metering deficit, which he estimated at about 44 percent.
While acknowledging recent government efforts that led to the rollout of millions of electricity meters, he maintained that more needs to be done to ensure wider access and accurate billing.
The ministerial nominee explained that his administration would focus on improving power distribution networks, ensuring stable gas supply for generation companies, strengthening the transmission system, and promoting transparency and accountability across the industry.
He also dismissed the idea that frequent grid collapses are isolated incidents, arguing instead that they are symptoms of deeper structural weaknesses within the power sector.
According to him, meaningful reforms are necessary to end the repeated breakdowns and improve efficiency nationwide.
Tegbe assured Nigerians that his performance would be judged by visible results within months, not years, insisting that citizens deserve a more accountable power sector.
He further alleged that certain individuals and groups profit from the inefficiencies currently plaguing the electricity system, vowing that decisive measures would be taken to confront such interests during the reform process.
“I will not promise Nigerians 24-hour electricity tomorrow,” he said. “What I can promise is visible and steady improvement within the shortest possible time. Nigerians deserve clarity instead of uncertainty and discipline instead of inefficiency.”
He added that reducing system disturbances, strengthening transmission infrastructure, and ensuring that electricity tariffs match the quality of service provided would remain key priorities under his leadership.
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Tegbe also warned that without immediate and measurable progress, public confidence in the sector would continue to decline, stressing that Nigerians should hold officials accountable for results.