Nigeria’s ministerial-designate for power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has said there is no “quick fix” to the country’s long-running electricity crisis, pledging instead to pursue transparent reforms aimed at rebuilding trust in the troubled sector.

Speaking during his Senate screening on 6 May 2026, Tegbe acknowledged widespread frustration over repeated national grid collapses, poor electricity supply, and mounting concerns over tariffs and metering across Nigeria.

He said reforms under his watch would focus on measurable progress, accountability, and public transparency.

“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,” Tegbe said.

His remarks come at a time when millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with unstable electricity supply, forcing households and businesses to rely heavily on generators and alternative energy sources.

Why the power sector matters

Nigeria’s power sector has faced decades of underinvestment, ageing infrastructure, transmission bottlenecks, and liquidity challenges affecting electricity generation, distribution, and payment systems.

Industry analysts say the instability has slowed economic growth, raised business costs, and worsened living conditions for many Nigerians.

Tegbe said reforms would involve “clear milestones and timelines” while focusing on reducing system disturbances and strengthening transmission infrastructure.

“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 services, and tariffs must justify service, and we must close the trust gap between operators and our citizens,” he said.

He also pledged to improve gas supply to power plants, accelerate metering, and restore credibility to the sector within his first year if confirmed.

Disputing claims of a ‘100-day fix’

The ministerial nominee also pushed back against reports suggesting he promised to fix Nigeria’s electricity challenges within 100 days.

According to the statement, Tegbe’s comments during the screening focused instead on long-term reforms aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.

Energy experts have repeatedly warned that structural problems in the sector cannot be solved within a few months, pointing instead to the need for sustained investment, policy consistency, and stronger regulation.

Tegbe’s background in public sector reforms

Tegbe is known for his previous roles as Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership and Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee.

He spent more than three decades at KPMG Nigeria and has worked on regulatory and institutional reform projects linked to the Nigerian power sector.

His experience includes engagements involving the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company.

Tegbe studied at Lagos Business School, INSEAD, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard Business School.

Industry and public reaction

Some energy stakeholders welcomed Tegbe’s emphasis on transparency, particularly his proposal for a public performance dashboard that could allow Nigerians to track sector improvements.

Consumer advocacy groups have long argued that distrust between electricity consumers and distribution companies has worsened due to estimated billing, poor service delivery, and weak communication.

Small business owners, many of whom spend heavily on diesel and petrol generators, are also expected to watch closely for signs of improved electricity reliability and lower operating costs.

What happens next?

Tegbe’s nomination is expected to proceed through the final stages of confirmation before any formal policy rollout begins.

If confirmed, he will inherit one of Nigeria’s most politically sensitive and economically critical ministries, with pressure mounting for reforms that deliver visible improvements in power supply.

Nigeria’s Senate on Wednesday screened Minister of Power-designate, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, with lawmakers focusing heavily on how he plans to address the country’s long-running electricity challenges.

During the screening, senators highlighted Tegbe’s background in infrastructure and public sector reform, saying his cross-sector experience could support efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s struggling power sector.

Nigeria continues to face widespread blackouts, weak electricity distribution, low metering penetration, and recurring national grid collapses — issues that have affected businesses, households, and economic growth for years.

Speaking during the session, Tegbe described electricity as central to national development.

“Electricity is not just a sector. It is the foundation of productivity, dignity, and national confidence,” he said.

He admitted there was no immediate solution to Nigeria’s power crisis but insisted that consistent reforms and disciplined implementation could improve the situation.

Why Nigeria’s Electricity Crisis Matters

Nigeria’s unreliable power supply remains one of the country’s biggest economic and social challenges.

Small businesses spend heavily on diesel and petrol generators, while manufacturers frequently cite unstable electricity as a major obstacle to growth and investment.

Energy analysts say improving electricity generation and distribution could significantly reduce business costs, improve productivity, and support job creation.

The power sector has also struggled with mounting debt, gas supply shortages, ageing infrastructure, and low revenue collection.

Tegbe’s Reform Priorities

During the screening, Tegbe outlined several priority areas he said would guide his administration if confirmed.

These include:

Improving gas supply to boost electricity generation

Strengthening national grid reliability

Enforcing accountability among electricity distribution companies

Accelerating nationwide metering

Restoring financial discipline across the sector

“We will replace uncertainty with clarity, inefficiency with discipline, and promises with measurable progress,” Tegbe said.

He also pledged to begin immediate diagnostic reviews and consultations with stakeholders across the industry.

According to him, some operational improvements could become visible within three months, while broader reforms — including restoring investor confidence and improving metering — may take up to one year.

Industry Expectations and Public Concerns

Power sector stakeholders have repeatedly called for stronger policy coordination between government agencies, electricity distribution companies, and gas suppliers.

Many Nigerians are also expected to closely monitor Tegbe’s performance, especially after years of repeated reform promises by successive administrations.

Consumers continue to complain about estimated billing, poor service delivery, and rising electricity tariffs despite unstable supply.

Energy experts say any meaningful improvement would require sustained investment, regulatory enforcement, and stronger collaboration between the federal government and private sector operators.

Commitment to Accountability

Tegbe told lawmakers he intends to work closely with the National Assembly and other stakeholders to deliver reforms.

“I will be accountable for progress, responsible in communication, and disciplined in execution,” he said.

The Senate screening ended with his nomination moving to the next stage of confirmation.

What Happens Next?

If confirmed by the Senate, Tegbe will take over leadership of one of Nigeria’s most challenging ministries at a time when citizens and businesses are demanding urgent improvements in electricity supply.

Analysts say early actions on grid stability, metering, and gas supply will likely shape public perception of his tenure.

A coalition of African environmental activists, economists, legal experts, and civil society groups has warned that the growing push for nuclear energy across Africa could deepen debt, increase foreign dependence, and divert attention from the continent’s vast renewable energy potential.

The warning came during an expert workshop on new nuclear power plants organised by Renevlyn Development Initiative and Tipping Point North South in Lagos, where speakers urged journalists to investigate nuclear projects more critically and hold governments accountable over transparency, safety, and financing concerns.

The event, held at Event Place by Sweet Sensation, brought together campaigners and experts from Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to discuss what participants repeatedly described as Africa’s “nuclear misadventure”.

Nigeria’s Nuclear Ambitions Under Fire

Opening the workshop, environmental activist Philip Jakpor said Nigeria’s proposed nuclear programme has largely operated without public scrutiny since discussions began nearly two decades ago.

According to him, Nigeria signed an agreement with Russian state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom in 2007 to develop nuclear facilities capable of generating about 4,800 megawatts by 2035.

Jakpor argued that communities earmarked for the projects were not consulted before plans were announced publicly.

“Nigeria cannot properly secure existing oil infrastructure, yet we are discussing nuclear facilities in a country facing major security challenges,” he said.

He added that journalists and civil society organisations continue to struggle to obtain official information about the status, financing, and safety framework of the project.

The debate comes as Nigeria continues to battle chronic electricity shortages despite being Africa’s largest economy. The country currently generates roughly 4,000 megawatts for an estimated population of over 200 million people, with repeated national grid collapses worsening electricity access.

Experts Say Nuclear Energy Is a ‘False Climate Solution’

One of the strongest interventions at the event came from Deborah Burton, author of the report Africa’s Nuclear Energy Misadventure.

Burton argued that nuclear power is being marketed to African governments as a clean energy solution despite unresolved concerns over radioactive waste, environmental damage, financing, and community displacement.

“Africa has 60% of the world’s best solar resources, yet attention is shifting toward one of the most expensive and risky energy systems,” she said.

Her presentation outlined six major concerns surrounding nuclear expansion in Africa:

Long construction timelines that fail to address urgent energy needs

Health and environmental risks linked to radiation and waste

Massive financial costs that could undermine renewable investment

Corruption risks tied to large-scale international contracts

Community displacement and poor consultation processes

Geopolitical competition among global powers seeking influence in Africa

Burton also highlighted Ghana’s agreement with US-based NuScale Power for small modular reactors, warning that African countries could become testing grounds for competing foreign nuclear technologies.

She maintained that solar, wind, and geothermal power remain safer and more sustainable alternatives for the continent.

Fadhel Kaboub: ‘Africa Is Being Drawn Into a New Dependency Cycle’

Economist Fadhel Kaboub delivered one of the event’s most detailed critiques of Africa’s nuclear ambitions, framing the debate as part of a wider struggle over economic sovereignty.

Kaboub argued that the global push for nuclear projects in Africa is less about solving energy poverty and more about preserving geopolitical control and economic dependency.

“Africa is being positioned as the last frontier for a declining nuclear industry,” he said.

According to Kaboub, major global powers including Russia, China, France, the United States, Japan, and South Korea are competing for influence over Africa’s future energy infrastructure.

He argued that nuclear energy creates long-term dependency because African countries would rely on foreign governments and corporations for:

Fuel supply

Reactor maintenance

Insurance systems

Technical expertise

Security operations

Waste management

Kaboub cited figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency showing that Africa could potentially generate up to 1,000 times its projected electricity demand through renewable energy using existing technologies.

Yet despite this potential, he said Africa receives only about 1% of global renewable energy financing.

“The issue is not lack of resources. The issue is the political and economic structure that keeps Africa dependent on imported technologies,” he said.

Kaboub proposed what he described as “clean energy sovereignty” through decentralized renewable systems, public ownership of energy infrastructure, regional industrial cooperation, and technology transfer rather than technology imports.

He added that Africa’s energy transition should focus on practical outcomes such as powering hospitals, schools, irrigation systems, and small businesses instead of prestige megaprojects.

Kenyan Campaigners Cite Public Participation Failures

Speakers from Kenya detailed how community resistance campaigns successfully blocked a proposed nuclear plant in Uyombo before authorities reportedly shifted attention elsewhere.

Lance Mbani and Anthony Kingi said local communities only became aware of the project after information surfaced publicly.

The activists accused Kenyan authorities of failing to guarantee procedural environmental rights, including access to information and meaningful public consultation.

Mbani said the proposed site was initially located near ecologically sensitive coastal forests and marine ecosystems.

“Kenya already generates around 95% of its electricity from renewable sources. The focus should be on expanding community-owned renewable systems, not introducing nuclear risks,” he said.

The Kenyan campaigners credited local organising, legal training, and media partnerships for helping communities challenge the project.

Zambia Weighs Nuclear Future Despite Renewable Potential

Chansa Kaluba warned that Zambia’s growing interest in nuclear development could sideline the country’s significant renewable energy resources.

Kaluba said Zambia currently relies heavily on hydropower but has major untapped solar and wind capacity alongside roughly 3,000 hours of sunlight annually.

Despite this, the country has moved ahead with nuclear policy planning and international cooperation agreements with countries including the United States and South Korea.

Civil society organisations and faith groups in Zambia, he said, have already mobilised against proposed nuclear projects over fears of displacement and debt.

Russian Nuclear Influence Raises Geopolitical Questions

Russian activist Vladimir Slivyak described Rosatom as both an energy corporation and a strategic arm of the Russian state.

He said Russia dominates large portions of the global nuclear fuel market and uses state-backed financing to expand influence in developing countries.

“Technological dependence often becomes political dependence,” Slivyak warned.

He also alleged that Rosatom personnel have been involved in occupied Ukrainian nuclear facilities since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Nuclear Power and Climate Politics

South African activist Makoma Lekalakala challenged claims that nuclear energy represents a climate-friendly transition pathway.

Lekalakala argued that uranium mining, fuel processing, and plant construction create significant carbon emissions and environmental damage often excluded from public discussions.

She warned that African governments pursuing nuclear energy could become trapped in long-term debt while still failing to solve energy access challenges.

“Nuclear is too slow and too expensive for the urgency of Africa’s electricity crisis,” she said.

Journalists Urged to Investigate Nuclear Deals

Closing the workshop, environmental lawyer Chima Williams urged journalists to pursue investigative reporting on nuclear agreements and use freedom of information laws to uncover hidden details.

Williams said governments often manage nuclear programmes secretly while publicly denying their scope.

“Journalists must rely on facts and legal protections while asking difficult questions,” he said.

He argued that partnerships between reporters, lawyers, and civil society groups would be critical in ensuring public accountability as African governments continue exploring nuclear partnerships.

Why the Debate Matters

The discussion reflects a broader debate unfolding across Africa as governments seek solutions to chronic electricity shortages, rising energy demand, and climate pressures.

Countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Egypt, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Namibia, and Morocco have all announced varying levels of nuclear interest, while South Africa remains the continent’s only operator of a commercial nuclear power plant.

Supporters argue nuclear energy could provide stable baseload electricity and reduce fossil fuel dependence. Critics, however, say Africa risks repeating cycles of foreign dependency while ignoring cheaper and faster renewable alternatives.