Tegbe: Moving Forward in the Power Sector (Part 1)

When Joseph Tegbe was appointed Minister of Power, many people reacted with doubt. This is a usual response when there is a change in leadership in the ministry.

People asked questions like: What will he do differently? What experience does he have in this difficult sector? Some even misunderstood his words during his Senate confirmation, saying he promised to fix the whole power sector in just three months.

In the 100 days since his appointment, Tegbe has shown a strong and clear plan to improve coordination in the power system.

As he took office, Tegbe set a clear goal. He said the aim is simple: reliable and affordable electricity for every home, business, and industry in Nigeria, all day, every day.

A big problem in Nigeria’s power sector has been the difficulty in getting power from generation plants to homes and businesses due to old transmission systems. Under Tegbe's leadership, there is now a strong push to replace these old systems. Significant upgrades are happening at key Lagos transmission substations in Apapa, Ijora, Alausa, and Lekki. They have added a total of 840MVA of new capacity with modern automation and SCADA systems to the grid. At Alausa, a new 100MVA transformer increased capacity to 205MVA. At Lekki, two new 60MVA transformers and nine new feeders raised capacity to 240MVA. Also, two new 100MVA transformers at Ijora increased capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA. A new Gas Insulated Substation at Apapa raised capacity from 60MVA to 180MVA. More transformers and installations are set to be added in Bauchi, Birni Kebbi, Kano, Benin, and Port Harcourt soon.

Alongside these upgrades, a technical audit of the national grid is being done. This will improve major energy routes, especially in Lagos, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt.

Under Tegbe’s leadership, over 300 containers that had been stuck in the ports for a long time have now been cleared. This is important because it allows critical equipment to be used by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to strengthen grid stability.

These upgrades are already showing results. On Tuesday, September 22, Nigeria’s power sector reported a total available generation of 5,403.3 MW, according to the Daily Load Allocation Table from the National Control Centre (NCC) in Osogbo.

Another key part of Tegbe's plan is better engagement with stakeholders. He has met privately with state governors to talk about issues like asset vandalism and interference from communities. He has also formed a partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu. Their goal is to create a special task force to protect power infrastructure, which are important national assets.

Tegbe is also handling regulatory challenges carefully. He has been working to resolve long-standing issues over estimated billing. After challenges with the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON), his talks with regulators and operators have helped find a good solution.

To make sure the Electricity Act 2023 is implemented well, Tegbe has created and leads a nine-member committee. This group includes representatives from NERC, State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs), the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Operators, and the Bureau of Public Enterprises. Their job is to fix operational issues and make sure state electricity markets work well.

Fairness and protecting consumers are key to Tegbe’s approach. He believes market rules should safeguard operators, investors, and electricity users. Recently, under his supervision, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) told Distribution Companies (DisCos) to compensate Band A customers for supply shortfalls. This sends a strong message that being responsible is very important.

Meanwhile, public communication in the power sector has changed a lot. The National Electricity System Operator (NISO) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) now give accurate, real-time updates on grid status. NISO has also put a stop to fake social media accounts that claimed to represent the national grid.

Real improvements are also visible. The 450-Megawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State, which had been inactive for three years, was revived by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), adding up to 375 Megawatts to the national grid.

To expand electricity access beyond the national grid, Tegbe is focusing on off-grid solar solutions through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). One of his first actions was to hand over 500 hectares of land in Niger state for a 200MW solar project. This project will power the Abuja steel mills and industrial park in Suleja.

In Epe, Lagos State, the Minister commissioned a 505kWp interconnected solar mini-grid that powers several communities. There are plans for a 5MW renewable expansion as well. He also opened a 3MW hybrid mini-grid at the Yakubu Gowon University and a renewable energy training center that provides 24-hour power to over 50,000 students.

Under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) initiative, Tegbe began the groundbreaking of three interconnected mini-grids in Adamawa State. This will deliver a total of 13.5MW to serve many households and businesses.

This progress is happening all over the country. There are 23 mini-grid projects being launched across 23 states, showing a clear move to clean, decentralized power for areas that lack service.

Building on this progress, plans are in place to launch solar mini-grids in 16 universities and three teaching hospitals.

The Minister has also helped attract private investments. This includes a 50MW power plant to supply energy to the Idu Industrial Cluster and a large 625MW coal-fired power plant in Enugu State.

To avoid past mistakes, reforms in renewable energy are supported by the launch of the Renewable Asset Management Company (RAMCO). This will ensure that renewable projects in Nigeria are sustainable and viable.

At the heart of Tegbe’s plan is a focus on developing the workforce. He knows that for reforms to work, skilled and motivated workers are needed. Tegbe leads by example, promoting a strong work culture in the Ministry that values quick execution, teamwork, and transparency.

A major part of this vision is the POWER FORCE initiative, a training program aimed at producing 5,000 certified meter installers across the country. This program will create jobs for young Nigerians, address metering issues, reduce revenue losses, and lower billing disputes that affect the sector's finances.

The Ministry is also partnering with the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) to improve the skills of grid operators, line workers, and sub-station engineers in modern grid management.

As state governments take on more regulatory roles under the new Electricity Act, Tegbe is providing technical support to train staff in the new State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs). This will help ensure good governance at both federal and state levels.

For Tegbe, reforming the power sector is not just a promise for the future. It is a daily commitment. Through working with stakeholders, protecting assets, advocating for consumers, and developing human capital, the foundation for a reliable national power system is being built.