Nigeria Power Minister outlines roadmap for grid stability

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has introduced a strategic roadmap aimed at stabilizing the national electricity grid, expanding transmission capacity, and attracting new investment. Speaking at the Nigeria Energy Leadership Summit 2026 in Lagos, Tegbe emphasized a shift from designing reforms to delivering measurable improvements in electricity supply and market sustainability.

The strategy focuses on four cardinal priorities: enhancing energy zones, strengthening sector liquidity, optimizing existing assets, and expanding infrastructure. To improve delivery, the government has identified three priority economic energy corridors: Lagos–Ogun, Benin–Enugu–Port Harcourt, and Abuja–Kaduna–Kano.

Tegbe addressed several systemic challenges, including gas supply constraints, overstretched transmission infrastructure, and accumulated sector liabilities. He noted that the government has paid 1.23 trillion naira toward an estimated 3.3 trillion naira in legacy sector liabilities. Additionally, the Minister expressed intentions to reassess the role of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), with reports suggesting a move away from the current model to address concerns regarding its necessity and alleged financial irregularities.