Electricity: ‘Nigerians Ask Me To Slow Down, Freezers Are Now Freezing’ — Power Minister

Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, on Wednesday said some Nigerians had asked him to “slow down” with electricity supply improvements because their freezers were now working continuously, citing feedback from areas that previously had no light for months but now enjoy up to 18 hours daily.

He spoke at the commissioning of a 3-megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly University of Abuja, in Abuja.
Tegbe said he had promised during his Senate screening that Nigerians would see noticeable improvements within three to six months, while acknowledging that some of the country’s electricity infrastructure is over 40 years old and is being systematically replaced.

He also raised concerns over vandalism, disclosing that three major transmission towers supplying Kebbi State and extending to Niger Republic had been brought down in Birnin Kebbi, and said a joint committee involving the EFCC, police and NSCDC had been set up to protect electricity assets.

On the university project, Tegbe said the facility combines a 3.3MW solar array with 3MW AC output and battery storage to power lecture halls, laboratories, ICT facilities and other services, benefiting more than 58,726 students, with 6,078 photovoltaic panels, 388 streetlights and 3,201 jobs created during implementation.

He urged the university to use the facility for renewable energy research and said REA would work with the institution on remaining lighting gaps.
REA Managing Director Abba Abubakar Aliyu said the project’s value should be measured by its impact on learning, not just megawatts generated, while Nigeria Electrification Project head Olufemi Akinyelure said powering a university “illuminates minds” and strengthens the nation’s future.

Senate Committee on Power Chairman Enyinnaya Abaribe commended the initiative but stressed community involvement is needed for sustainability, while Vice-Chancellor Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi thanked the government and called for continued collaboration to keep the project operational.