Minister Tegbe Claims Nigerians Beg for Less Power Due to Freezing Appliances

Joseph Tegbe, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, revealed on Wednesday, September 16, that certain citizens have requested a reduction in the pace of electricity supply enhancements. He attributed this unusual feedback to their home freezers now operating non-stop.

This disclosure came during the official launch of a 3-megawatt solar hybrid power initiative at Yakubu Gowon University, previously known as the University of Abuja. According to Tegbe, some localities that endured complete power outages for three months are now enjoying up to 18 hours of electricity daily. He quoted some residents as saying, “look, I should slow down, that everything in their freezer is freezing.” The Minister humorously responded, “That is what freezer is meant to do. Let it freeze the food that needs to be frozen.”

The Power Minister recalled that during his Senate confirmation hearing, he had assured the nation of discernible improvements in power availability within a three-to-six-month timeframe. Notwithstanding the progress, Tegbe candidly addressed the persistent obstacles within the power sector, highlighting that a significant portion of Nigeria's electricity infrastructure is over four decades old.

He stated, “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.”