Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has denied reports claiming he promised to fix Nigeria’s power grid within three months.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday by his spokesperson Adeola Adelabu, Minister Tegbe said the reports misrepresented his remarks during his Senate screening.
According to the statement, Tegbe did not give a three-month deadline to resolve 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 said.
The statement explained that during his screening on May 6, Tegbe told senators that timelines for reforms in the power sector were still being developed and would depend on technical assessments and consultations with stakeholders.
It added that efforts to stabilise the national grid would begin within his first 100 days in office, while wider reforms involving gas supply, metering and sector operations could take about one year.
“My promise to this chamber and to Nigeria is that Nigerians will see visible improvement in the sector,” Tegbe was quoted as saying.
He also said he would work to stabilise the national grid, modernise electricity infrastructure, strengthen commercial frameworks and improve accountability in the power sector.
On electricity tariffs, Tegbe reportedly assured lawmakers that reforms would protect vulnerable households while balancing affordability, sustainability and investor confidence.
The statement added that the minister remains open to engagement with the media and encouraged journalists to seek clarification where necessary.
President Bola Tinubu recently nominated Joseph Tegbe as minister of power following Adebayo Adelabu’s exit from the ministry.
