Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has acknowledged that many Nigerians are still without reliable electricity, saying he understands the frustration over the slow impact of ongoing reforms in the sector.

Tegbe made the admission on Monday while reflecting on his first three months in office, noting that improvements in the power sector have not yet been felt by many Nigerians.

“Admittedly, many Nigerians are still without reliable power, and I understand the frustration of hearing about progress you haven’t personally felt yet. I’m not going to pretend that away,” Tegbe said in a post on X.

The minister said fixing the country’s power sector would take time, stressing that he would not make promises of a quick solution that would not be sustainable.

“Fixing this sector properly takes time, & I will not promise a quick fix that doesn’t hold,” he said.

Tegbe also said there was no plan to increase electricity tariffs, describing the position as “no political statement.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to improving grid stability, electricity supply reliability and billing accuracy, while ensuring faster resolution of consumer complaints.

“I will continue to acknowledge what’s working and what is yet to. I restate my commitment to grid stability, supply reliability, billing accuracy, faster resolution of complaints with no shortcuts,” he said.

According to the minister, the government’s interventions over the past three months have focused on identifying and addressing longstanding challenges in the power sector.

He cited the restoration of the 375MW Alaoji power plant, which had been offline for three years, as one of the major interventions.

Tegbe also said the ministry had unlocked transmission capacity in Lagos, Abuja and other locations, mobilised funds to tackle the sector’s longstanding debt burden and deployed more than 350,000 electricity meters.

He attributed the meter deployment to the resolution of legal issues involving the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON).

The minister said his priorities upon assuming office included disciplined execution, grid stability through reform, visible improvements in electricity supply and honest communication with Nigerians.

He assured that the government would continue working to improve power supply and address the challenges confronting the sector.