Power Sector: Tegbe Highlights 5,330MW Peak, 350,000 New Meters, ₦1.23trn Debt Funding in 100 Days

Power Sector: Tegbe Highlights 5,330MW Peak, 350,000 New Meters, ₦1.23trn Debt Funding in 100 Days

The Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has disclosed that the Federal Government recorded significant interventions in generation, transmission, metering and power-sector liquidity during his first 100 days in office.

Speaking at a media parley in Abuja, Tegbe said the Ministry's immediate priority had been to stabilise the electricity value chain before embarking on large-scale expansion.

He disclosed that the 375MW Alaoji open-cycle power plant had been restored to the national grid after three years offline. At the same time, network interventions in Lagos and Abuja had unlocked an additional 912MW of transmission capacity.

According to the Minister, new transformers commissioned at Apapa, Ijora, Alausa and Lekki unlocked 672MW, while a 300MVA transformer energised at Katampe unlocked another 240MW.

Tegbe said generation and transmission had exceeded 5,000MW over recent weeks, compared with the 3,700MW–4,700MW range before June, while a generation peak of 5,330MW was recorded during August and September.

He said the Ministry was nevertheless focused on converting system-level improvements into dependable electricity at customer level.

₦1.23 trillion mobilised towards sector debt

The Minister disclosed that an estimated ₦1.23 trillion had been raised towards settling the backlog of power-sector debt, as part of a broader programme addressing the sector's estimated ₦3.3 trillion debt.

He said improving liquidity was essential because the financial weakness of one segment of the value chain could undermine the performance of others.

“Unpaid bills weaken gas supply and maintenance; unreliable supply depresses collections; poor collections deepen debt,” he explained.

Tegbe also said interventions along the Ikorodu-Sagamu industrial corridor had addressed energy theft and revenue losses estimated at ₦120 billion annually.

350,000 meters installed in 100 days

The Minister identified metering as central to restoring market discipline and strengthening consumer confidence.

He said the agency installed about 350,000 meters in the first 100 days, with cumulative installations reaching 1,004,260 as of August 2026.

He further disclosed that the resolution of the AMMON litigation had unlocked procurement of approximately 1.4 million smart meters, while metering of military formations had reached 90,000 installations.

To support continued deployment, 5,000 young Nigerians are undergoing training as smart-meter installers under the Power Force programme.

Tegbe said these measures were designed to replace disputed estimates with measured consumption while improving billing and revenue accountability.

No plan to increase electricity tariffs

The Minister also used the occasion to clarify the Federal Government's position on tariffs.

“Let me categorically state—and this is not a political statement—we have no plan to increase electricity tariffs,” he said.

Transmission equipment released

Tegbe said the Ministry, working with relevant government agencies, facilitated the release of more than 300 containers of critical power equipment held at the ports.

He said the equipment would now be inspected, deployed and installed to support transmission infrastructure upgrades.

The Minister said the release addressed the contradiction of having unfinished power projects while critical equipment remained stranded in storage.

Next stage

Tegbe said the next phase would deepen grid stabilisation along the Lagos, Enugu-Port Harcourt and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridors. At the same time, technical audits had commenced along the Lagos and Abuja corridors to identify weak points and guide investment.

He said the Ministry would also continue work towards the Transmission Super Grid, improve utilisation of existing generation and distribution assets, and prepare infrastructure for future electricity demand.

“These first 100 days have laid the groundwork for sustained repair and stabilisation,” the Minister said, pledging continued reporting against measurable indicators, including supply reliability, billing accuracy and the resolution of faults and complaints.