Power Sector Has No Quick Fix, Reforms Will Be Transparent Under My Watch – Tegbe

Power Sector Has No Quick Fix, Reforms Will Be Transparent Under My Watch – Tegbe

Nigeria’s Ministerial-Designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has pledged to pursue transparent and measurable reforms aimed at repositioning the country’s troubled power sector, stressing that there is no “quick fix” to the long-standing challenges facing electricity supply in the country.

Speaking during his screening before the Senate on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Tegbe acknowledged the persistent problems across the power value chain, including recurring national grid collapses, inadequate transmission infrastructure, poor metering, and widespread public distrust in the sector.

According to him, meaningful progress in the power sector would require disciplined execution, honesty, and accountability rather than unrealistic promises.

“We will not do things the way we used to do before. I will not promise what I cannot deliver. We must close the metering gap and ensure Nigerians can track performance through a transparent public dashboard,” he stated.

Tegbe said the reforms under his leadership would focus on measurable milestones and clear timelines to ensure that citizens can monitor progress in the sector.

“The sector must be properly structured, and the people deserve to see real improvement. We will come with clear milestones and timelines,” he said.

He further emphasized the need for honest engagement with Nigerians, noting that restoring confidence in the power sector would require transparency from both operators and government institutions.

“We understand the issues. What is needed now is honest engagement and firm execution. We will tell Nigerians the truth. We must reduce system disturbances and strengthen transmission. Tariffs must reflect service, and tariffs must justify service. We must also close the trust gap between operators and citizens,” Tegbe added.

The ministerial-designate explained that broader reforms, including restoring sector credibility, improving gas supply to power plants, and accelerating nationwide metering, are expected to begin yielding results within the first year of implementation.

Tegbe also clarified reports circulating in some national publications suggesting that he promised to fix Nigeria’s power sector within 100 days, insisting that his remarks during the Senate screening were focused on transparent and sustainable reforms aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Before his nomination, Tegbe served as Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership and Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee.

A seasoned professional with more than three decades of experience at KPMG, Tegbe began his career as a civil engineer and later built a reputation in finance, governance, taxation, and institutional reform.

He is an alumnus of Lagos Business School, INSEAD, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard Business School.

Tegbe is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and holds certification in Governance of Enterprise IT.

His professional experience includes engagements in regulatory and institutional reforms within the power sector, particularly involving the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company.