The Minister-designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has pledged to drive transparent and accountable reforms in Nigeria’s troubled power sector, insisting that resolving the industry’s long-standing challenges would require disciplined execution rather than “quick fixes.”
Speaking during his Senate screening on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Tegbe acknowledged the persistent crises across the electricity value chain, including recurring national grid collapses, inadequate metering, transmission weaknesses, and widespread public distrust.
According to him, while the sector’s problems cannot be solved overnight, measurable progress can be achieved through honesty, transparency, and firm implementation of reforms.
“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 stressed that Nigerians deserve to see tangible improvements backed by clear timelines and measurable milestones.
“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 service must justify tariffs. We must also close the trust gap between operators and citizens,” he added.
The Minister-designate further explained that critical reforms aimed at restoring confidence in the sector, improving gas supply, strengthening transmission infrastructure, and accelerating nationwide metering are expected to gain traction within the first year of his administration.
He also clarified reports circulating in some national publications claiming he promised to fix the power sector within 100 days, noting that his comments during the screening focused instead on transparent reforms aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tegbe is widely recognized for his previous roles as Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) and Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC), where he earned commendation for institutional reforms and policy implementation.
With more than three decades of professional experience at KPMG, Tegbe transitioned from a background in civil engineering into finance, taxation, governance, and public sector reforms. He is an alumnus of Lagos Business School, INSEAD, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard Business School.
He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, with extensive experience in regulatory and institutional reforms involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company.