Don’t expect quick fixes – New Power Minister, Tegbe says

Following his formal confirmation by the Senate on Wednesday, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe has warned that the deep-seated issues within Nigeria’s power sector admit no quick fixes.

Tegbe, who was confirmed alongside Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, used his screening floor time to manage public expectations, arguing that the nation must move away from the traditional cycle of grand promises and toward a culture of transparent, milestone-driven execution.

Until recently, Tegbe was the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership.

During the plenary session at the Senate, Tegbe emphasized that decades of failed reforms serve as evidence that the sector requires a fundamental shift in strategy rather than superficial patches.

He informed lawmakers that while he is prepared to take decisive action, the road to stable electricity will be paved with tough choices and structural adjustments.

Tegbe pledged that his approach would prioritize honesty over rhetoric, stating clearly that he would not commit to outcomes that are technically or logistically unattainable in the short term.

He further proposed a roadmap for the sector centered on creating a transparent public dashboard to allow Nigerians to track energy performance, alongside a renewed focus on closing the massive metering gap that has long fueled consumer distrust.

Tegbe also advocated for decentralized energy solutions, suggesting that sub-national governments must be empowered to generate their own electricity to reduce the overwhelming burden on the national grid.