Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe has said Nigeria’s electricity challenges can only be resolved through tough but transparent reforms, stressing that there are no easy solutions to the country’s long-standing power crisis.
Speaking on Wednesday during his screening before the Senate Committee of the Whole, Tegbe said the nation must move away from outdated approaches in managing the power sector.
“We will not do things the way we used to do before. I will not promise what I cannot deliver,” he told lawmakers.
Tegbe, who was appointed in 2025 by President Bola Tinubu as Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, described electricity as vital to economic growth and public trust. He noted that years of reforms had failed to deliver the desired transformation in the sector.
If confirmed, he said his priorities would include improving electricity distribution, addressing the metering gap, promoting transparency, and encouraging greater participation of state governments in power generation.
“We must close the metering gap and ensure Nigerians can track performance through a transparent public dashboard. The sector must be properly structured, and the people deserve to see real improvement,” he said.
Tegbe also advocated for sub-national governments to generate electricity independently in order to reduce pressure on the national grid.
“We will come with clear milestones. If results are not visible in three months, they won’t be in six,” he added.
During the screening, Senate Committee on Power Chairman Enyinnaya Abaribe expressed concerns over the fragility of the national grid, noting that it often struggles whenever supply exceeds 5,000 megawatts.
“You must meet the generator cartel. They will come after you. Make sure that the DISCOs keep to the terms of their contracts,” Abaribe warned.
Former Minister of State for Power and Steel, Danjuma Goje, also criticised the limited progress recorded in the sector despite trillions of naira spent since 1999. He advised Tegbe to seek long-term technical collaboration with China to help modernise Nigeria’s power infrastructure over the next 20 years.
On the issue of vandalism, Senator Tahir Monguno asked how Tegbe planned to strengthen security around energy infrastructure.
In response, Tegbe identified inadequate gas supply and poor grid discipline as major factors affecting power stability in the country.
“We understand the issues. What is needed now is honest engagement and firm execution. We will tell Nigerians the truth,” he said.
He further emphasised the need for strict regulatory compliance across the sector and the introduction of market-driven tariffs to improve efficiency and sustainability.
