Tegbe Unveils Power Sector Reform Blueprint, Revives 450MW Plant and Expands Grid Capacity

…..New Power Minister cites revival of 450MW Alaoji plant, grid upgrades and stricter consumer protection as signs of progress under Tinubu’s electricity reform drive.

Nigeria’s newly sworn-in Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has unveiled an ambitious reform agenda aimed at transforming the country’s electricity sector, promising measurable improvements, stronger accountability and accelerated infrastructure development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking shortly after his swearing-in, Tegbe expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to serve with integrity, transparency and unwavering commitment to national development.
“Let me begin by thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence he has reposed in me with this appointment, and I reaffirm my commitment to serving Nigeria and her people with honesty and diligence,” the minister said.
Tegbe disclosed that since receiving Senate confirmation, his team has moved swiftly to establish a structured power sector reform strategy anchored on execution discipline, measurable milestones and public accountability.
According to him, extensive consultations have already been held with critical institutions across the electricity value chain, including the Federal Ministry of Power, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) and FGN Power Company.
He noted that these engagements have produced a shared commitment among stakeholders to accelerate reforms and improve service delivery.
The minister also revealed that discussions with international development organisations and funding partners have yielded positive signals, with several institutions expressing readiness to provide liquidity support to the sector.
He described the development as a strong endorsement of the Federal Government’s reform direction and a vote of confidence in the country’s electricity market.
Highlighting early achievements, Tegbe announced the successful revival of the 450-megawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State, which had remained inactive for three years.
The facility, restored by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, now has up to 375 megawatts available for dispatch into the national grid, providing a significant boost to generation capacity.
In the transmission segment, he disclosed that TCN recently energized new transmission infrastructure at Katampe in Abuja and substations located in Ayede and Abeokuta, enhancing grid stability and power evacuation capacity across several regions.
The minister further cited a recent emergency response in the Federal Capital Territory where a failed 100MVA transformer threatened electricity supply.
According to him, joint intervention by TCN and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) ensured full restoration of power within 24 hours, demonstrating a renewed culture of responsiveness and operational efficiency.
On consumer protection, Tegbe praised recent regulatory actions by NERC directing electricity distribution companies to compensate Band A customers affected by supply shortfalls earlier in the year.
He said the directive underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding consumers’ rights while ensuring operators remain accountable for service delivery obligations.
“All of these happened not by accident but because of the renewed commitment of our people,” he stated.
The minister commended management and staff of the Ministry of Power and its agencies for their professionalism and dedication, while also acknowledging the support of private sector operators who continue to collaborate with government in driving reforms.
He assured stakeholders that excellence, productivity and innovation would be recognised and rewarded under his leadership.
Addressing Nigerians directly, Tegbe appealed for patience and understanding, noting that many of the sector’s challenges are deeply rooted and accumulated over decades.
He stressed that while immediate solutions may not be possible, citizens would continue to witness tangible improvements as reforms progress.
“I will not promise what I cannot deliver, but I promise visible improvement as you have been seeing, and I will continue to communicate honestly with you every step of the way,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s long-term objective of delivering reliable, affordable and uninterrupted electricity to homes, businesses and industries nationwide.
He emphasized that while the journey remains challenging, the administration remains committed to sustained investments, policy consistency and institutional reforms necessary to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s power sector.
With generation assets being revived, transmission infrastructure expanding and regulatory oversight becoming more robust, industry observers believe the coming months will serve as a critical test of the government’s ability to convert reform promises into lasting improvements in electricity supply.
For millions of Nigerians struggling with unreliable power, Tegbe’s early actions and reform agenda offer renewed optimism that the nation’s long-standing electricity challenges may finally be moving toward a sustainable solution.
Nigeria’s Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has outlined a comprehensive reform agenda, highlighting the revival of the 450MW Alaoji Power Plant, transmission upgrades and stronger consumer protection measures aimed at improving electricity supply nationwide.