Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, says some electricity consumers have asked him to slow down ongoing efforts to improve power supply because their freezers are now working continuously.
Tegbe made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja during the commissioning of a 3-megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja.
The minister said some communities that previously experienced prolonged power outages were now receiving up to 18 hours of electricity daily.
He added that the development had generated feedback from consumers whose household appliances were operating more consistently.
Tegbe said he had promised during his Senate screening that Nigerians would begin to notice improvements in electricity supply within three to six months.
He, however, acknowledged the challenges facing the power sector, noting that some electricity infrastructure in the country was more than 40 years old.
According to him, the Federal Government is systematically replacing outdated infrastructure and introducing new facilities to strengthen electricity supply.
The minister also raised concerns about the vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure, disclosing that three major transmission towers in Birnin Kebbi had been destroyed.
He said the affected towers were part of the infrastructure supplying electricity to Kebbi State and extending to Niger Republic.
Tegbe explained that the vandals attacked the foundations of the towers before bringing them down and cutting sections of the structures for sale in the scrap market.
He said the government had established a joint working committee involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to monitor and protect national electricity assets.
The minister added that the government was working to ensure that vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure was treated as a serious criminal offence.
58,726 Students to Benefit From Solar ProjectSpeaking on the Yakubu Gowon University project, Tegbe said the facility combines a 3.3-megawatt solar array with a 3-megawatt alternating current output capacity and battery storage.
He said the project would supply electricity to critical university facilities, including lecture halls, laboratories, information and communication technology centres, administrative buildings and campus lighting.
According to him, more than 58,726 students are expected to benefit from the project, which includes 6,078 photovoltaic panels and 388 streetlights installed across the university.
Tegbe said the project created 3,201 jobs during its implementation, adding that its battery storage capacity could be expanded to cover additional parts of the institution, including student hostels.
He also said the Rural Electrification Agency would work with the university to improve lighting in areas that still require additional attention.
The minister urged the institution to use the facility for research into renewable energy, battery storage, smart metering, energy management, grid integration and cybersecurity.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the project as a significant milestone under the Energising Education Programme.
Aliyu said the programme’s impact should be measured not only by the electricity generated but also by its contribution to academic activities, research and the learning environment.
He said reliable electricity would help laboratories operate more effectively, strengthen digital services and reduce pressure on university operating budgets.
The Head of the Nigeria Electrification Project, Olufemi Akinyelure, said the project would create broader development opportunities through improved access to electricity.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, commended the Federal Government and the minister for implementing the Energising Education Programme.
