Electricity: Nigerians ask me to slow down, freezers are freezing — Power Minister
By Felix Uroko
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, says some Nigerians have asked him to “slow down” efforts to improve electricity supply because their freezers are now working continuously.
Tegbe made the remark on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at the commissioning of a 3-megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly University of Abuja.
According to the minister, electricity consumers have been giving positive feedback following improvements in supply in some parts of the country.
«“Places that didn’t have light at all for three months are now having 18 hours light. Some areas called me to say, look, I should slow down, that everything in their freezer is freezing. That is what freezer is meant to do.”»
Minister promises more improvements
Tegbe recalled that he told the Senate during his screening that Nigerians would begin to see noticeable improvements in electricity supply within three to six months.
He, however, acknowledged the challenges facing the sector, noting that some electricity infrastructure across the country is more than 40 years old.
“Some of the infrastructure we have in the electricity and power sector are more than 40 years old. We’re systematically replacing them, phasing them out and bringing new ones,” he said.
Vandalism threatens power supply
The minister also raised concerns over the continued vandalism of electricity infrastructure.
He disclosed that three major transmission towers in Birnin Kebbi had been brought down by vandals after their foundations were attacked.
According to Tegbe, the towers were part of infrastructure supplying electricity to Kebbi State and extending to Niger Republic. He said parts of the structures were later cut up for sale as scrap.
To tackle the problem, he said the Federal Government had established a joint working committee involving the EFCC, Nigeria Police and NSCDC to monitor and protect critical electricity assets.
“You will not believe how many towers get pulled down by vandals,” Tegbe said.
Solar project to power university facilities
The Yakubu Gowon University project combines a 3.3MW solar array, 3MW AC output capacity and battery storage.
Tegbe said the facility would provide power to lecture halls, laboratories, ICT facilities, administrative buildings, campus lighting and other essential services.
More than 58,726 students are expected to benefit from the project, which includes 6,078 solar panels and 388 streetlights. The project also created 3,201 jobs during implementation.
The minister said the battery storage system could be expanded to extend electricity supply to other parts of the university, including student hostels.
He also urged the institution to use the facility for research into renewable energy, battery storage, smart metering, energy management, grid integration and cybersecurity.
REA: Project goes beyond electricity
Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the project as a major milestone under the Energizing Education Programme.
Aliyu said its impact should not be measured only by the amount of electricity generated but by how it improves teaching, research, digital services and the wider learning environment.
The Senate Committee on Power Chairman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, also commended the government and urged communities to help protect public infrastructure.
Yakubu Gowon University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said reliable electricity was essential for teaching, research, laboratory work and digital services.
He called for continued collaboration between the university and government agencies to ensure the project remains operational and delivers its intended benefits.
