Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has acknowledged that many Nigerians are still without reliable electricity, saying he understands the frustration over improvements that have yet to be felt by consumers.

Tegbe, reflecting on his first three months in office in a statement on Monday, said the government would not make unrealistic promises about fixing the country’s power sector.

“Admittedly, many Nigerians are still without reliable power, and I understand the frustration of hearing about progress you haven’t personally felt yet. I’m not going to pretend that away,” the minister wrote in a post on X.

“Fixing this sector properly takes time, & I will not promise a quick fix that doesn’t hold.”

The minister also ruled out any plan to increase electricity tariffs, stressing that the position was not politically motivated.

“I will continue to acknowledge what’s working and what is yet to. I restate my commitment to grid stability, supply reliability, billing accuracy, faster resolution of complaints with no shortcuts,” he said.

Tegbe said the ministry’s initial focus had been on diagnosing and addressing longstanding challenges in the sector, including the restoration of the 375MW Alaoji power plant after three years offline.

He said the ministry had also unlocked transmission capacity in Lagos, Abuja and other locations, mobilised funds to tackle the sector’s longstanding debt burden and deployed more than 350,000 electricity meters.

According to him, the meter deployment was made possible following the resolution of legal issues involving the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON).

Tegbe said his priorities upon assuming office included disciplined execution, grid stability through reforms, visible improvements in electricity supply and honest communication with Nigerians.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving power supply and addressing the challenges affecting the sector.