The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday screened Minister of Power designate, Engr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, with deliberations focused on his reform agenda and plans to tackle longstanding challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
During the screening session, lawmakers acknowledged Tegbe’s experience in public sector reform and infrastructure development, noting that his cross-sector expertise could strengthen ongoing efforts to stabilize the nation’s power industry.
Addressing the Senate, Tegbe described electricity as central to national growth and economic productivity.
“Electricity is not just a sector. It is the foundation of productivity, dignity, and national confidence,” he said.
He admitted that the power sector continues to face significant challenges across the value chain but maintained that sustainable progress can be achieved through discipline, accountability, and measurable execution.
According to him, there is no “quick fix” to the country’s electricity crisis, but there is a “disciplined path to solving it.”
Tegbe outlined key reform priorities to include improving gas supply for enhanced power generation, strengthening grid reliability, enforcing accountability within distribution companies, accelerating metering, and restoring financial discipline across the sector.
“We will replace uncertainty with clarity, inefficiency with discipline, and promises with measurable progress,” he stated.
On projected timelines, the minister-designate said his immediate focus would be diagnostics and stakeholder engagement to identify critical gaps before setting realistic timelines for stable electricity delivery.
He, however, hinted that some visible improvements could emerge within three months, while broader reforms such as restoring investor confidence, improving gas supply, and accelerating metering are expected within the first year.
Tegbe also pledged to work closely with the National Assembly and other stakeholders, stressing that meaningful progress in the power sector would require coordinated national collaboration.
Reaffirming his commitment to service delivery, he assured Nigerians that tangible progress would be visible within a reasonable timeframe.
“I will be accountable for progress, responsible in communication, and disciplined in execution,” he added.
The screening session concluded with his nomination proceeding to the next stage of confirmation.