• Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe has denied making promises to fix Nigeria’s power grid within three months
• Tegbe described the reports as a misrepresentation of his Senate screening remarks
• The Minister-designate said grid stabilisation efforts would begin within his first 100 days in office

Nigeria’s Minister-designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has dismissed reports alleging that he vowed to repair the country’s troubled power grid within three months.

Reacting to the reports through his spokesperson, Adeola Adelabu, Tegbe described the claims as a distortion of comments he made during his Senate screening held on May 6, 2026.

In a statement shared on X on Thursday, May 7, Adelabu clarified that the Minister-designate never made a definite promise to completely fix the national grid within a three-month period.

“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,” the statement said.

“This claim is a clear misrepresentation of his remarks. At his Senate screening on May 6, 2026, Mr Tegbe made no such commitment.”

According to the clarification, Tegbe only explained that timelines for reforms in the electricity sector were still being determined and would depend on technical assessments and consultations with key stakeholders.

The statement noted that the minister-designate assured lawmakers that immediate efforts to stabilise the national grid would begin within his first 100 days in office, while wider reforms across the power sector could take up to one year to implement.

Tegbe said his administration would prioritise restoring confidence in the electricity sector, resolving gas supply constraints and improving electricity metering nationwide.

“My promise to this chamber is that Nigerians will see visible improvement in the sector,” Tegbe told senators during the screening exercise.

He also pledged to improve grid stability, modernise power infrastructure, strengthen commercial operations within the sector and ensure accountability across the electricity value chain.

Speaking on electricity tariffs, Tegbe reportedly assured the Senate that future reforms would protect low-income consumers while also promoting sustainability and investor confidence.

The statement added that the minister-designate remained committed to transparency, measurable progress and constructive engagement with the media as the government seeks long-term solutions to Nigeria’s persistent power challenges.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently nominated Tegbe as Minister of Power following the exit of Adebayo Adelabu during the cabinet reshuffle announced by the Presidency.

Tegbe, an engineer and public policy expert, appeared before the Senate where he outlined strategies to address grid instability, metering shortages and infrastructure deficits in the power sector.

Power Minister Adelabu set to resign in coming days – Special Adviser

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, was expected to resign from his position, according to his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji.

Tunji explained that Adelabu’s resignation is closely tied to ongoing developments within the power sector, as well as his broader political ambitions.

According to Tunji, the timing of Adelabu’s expected resignation underscores his intention to ensure stability and continuity before stepping down.