₦airaland Forum

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‘Nigerians tell me to slow down, freezers are freezing’ — Power Minister

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, on Wednesday said some Nigerians had asked him to “slow down” the improvement in electricity supply because, according to him, their freezers were now working continuously.

Tegbe made the statement in Abuja while speaking at the commissioning of the 3-megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja.



The minister said he had been receiving feedback from electricity consumers following improvements in power 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. Let it freeze the food that needs to be frozen,” Tegbe said.

Tegbe said he had promised during his Senate screening that Nigerians would begin to see noticeable improvements in electricity supply within three to six months.

The minister, however, acknowledged the challenges facing the power sector, noting that some electricity infrastructure in the country was 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.

Tegbe also raised concerns over the vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure, disclosing that three major transmission towers in Birnin Kebbi had been brought down by vandals.


According to him, the affected towers were part of the infrastructure supplying electricity to Kebbi State and extending to Niger Republic.

He said the vandals attacked the foundations of the towers before bringing them down and cutting parts of the structures for sale in the scrap market.

Tegbe said the Federal Government had established a joint working committee involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to monitor and protect national electricity assets.

“You will not believe how many towers get pulled down by vandals,” he said.

He 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

Speaking on the Yakubu Gowon University project, Tegbe said the facility combines a 3.3-megawatt solar array with 3MW AC output capacity and battery storage to provide electricity to critical university facilities.

He said the project would support lecture halls, laboratories, ICT facilities, administrative buildings, campus lighting and other essential services.

Tegbe said more than 58,726 students were expected to benefit from the project, which has 6,078 photovoltaic panels and 388 streetlights installed across the university.

He added that the project created 3,201 jobs during its implementation.

The minister said the battery storage capacity could be expanded to enable the project to provide electricity to additional parts of the university, including student hostels.

He said the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, would work with the university to address areas of the campus that still required improved lighting.

Tegbe also urged the university to use the facility as a platform for research into renewable energy, battery storage, smart metering, energy management, grid integration, cybersecurity and other areas of modern energy technology.

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 value of the programme should not be measured only by the megawatts of electricity generated but also by its impact on students, academic activities, research and the overall learning environment.


He said reliable electricity would enable laboratories to operate more effectively, strengthen digital services and reduce pressure on university operating budgets.

The REA boss also urged the university to use the infrastructure to advance research into distributed energy resources and develop solutions suited to Nigeria’s energy needs.

The Head of the Nigeria Electrification Project, Olufemi Akinyelure, said the significance of the project should be measured by the wider development opportunities created by reliable electricity.

“The government may not be in the business of making profit, but it must always be in the business of making progress. And perhaps no public investment yields a greater return than investment in education because when we power a university, we do not merely light buildings; we illuminate minds, enable innovation and strengthen the future of our nation,” Akinyelure said.

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.


Abaribe said reliable electricity was fundamental to the development of Nigeria’s education system, recalling that power supply in universities was more dependable when he was a student.

He, however, stressed that the sustainability of public infrastructure required the active participation of the communities where such projects were located.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said dependable electricity was critical to the university’s academic mission.

Fawehinmi said a modern university could not effectively teach, conduct research, operate laboratories or sustain digital services without reliable power supply.

He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Rural Electrification Agency for the intervention, describing the solar hybrid project as a major infrastructure investment in the institution.


He also called for continued collaboration among government agencies and the university to ensure that the project remained operational and delivered its intended benefits to students and staff


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/09/electricity-nigerians-tell-me-to-slow-down-freezers-are-freezing-power-minister/amp/

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Just if maybe this your imagination is true... why would anyone tell you to slow down because freezers are freezing what is the purpose of people buying freezers if not to freeze?


Mr minister leave fabu alone and do your job.

Weird politicians everywhere.


:::

Determine the area you live

if you live at the area where 90% of the residents are using prepaid meter you'll enjoy 24hrs electricity

Bobloco:
‘

‘Nigerians tell me to slow down, freezers are freezing’ — Power Minister

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, on Wednesday said some Nigerians had asked him to “slow down” the improvement in electricity supply because, according to him, their freezers were now working continuously.

Tegbe made the statement in Abuja while speaking at the commissioning of the 3-megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja.



The minister said he had been receiving feedback from electricity consumers following improvements in power 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. Let it freeze the food that needs to be frozen,” Tegbe said.

Tegbe said he had promised during his Senate screening that Nigerians would begin to see noticeable improvements in electricity supply within three to six months.

The minister, however, acknowledged the challenges facing the power sector, noting that some electricity infrastructure in the country was 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.

Tegbe also raised concerns over the vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure, disclosing that three major transmission towers in Birnin Kebbi had been brought down by vandals.


According to him, the affected towers were part of the infrastructure supplying electricity to Kebbi State and extending to Niger Republic.

He said the vandals attacked the foundations of the towers before bringing them down and cutting parts of the structures for sale in the scrap market.

Tegbe said the Federal Government had established a joint working committee involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to monitor and protect national electricity assets.

“You will not believe how many towers get pulled down by vandals,” he said.

He 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

Speaking on the Yakubu Gowon University project, Tegbe said the facility combines a 3.3-megawatt solar array with 3MW AC output capacity and battery storage to provide electricity to critical university facilities.

He said the project would support lecture halls, laboratories, ICT facilities, administrative buildings, campus lighting and other essential services.

Tegbe said more than 58,726 students were expected to benefit from the project, which has 6,078 photovoltaic panels and 388 streetlights installed across the university.

He added that the project created 3,201 jobs during its implementation.

The minister said the battery storage capacity could be expanded to enable the project to provide electricity to additional parts of the university, including student hostels.

He said the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, would work with the university to address areas of the campus that still required improved lighting.

Tegbe also urged the university to use the facility as a platform for research into renewable energy, battery storage, smart metering, energy management, grid integration, cybersecurity and other areas of modern energy technology.

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 value of the programme should not be measured only by the megawatts of electricity generated but also by its impact on students, academic activities, research and the overall learning environment.


He said reliable electricity would enable laboratories to operate more effectively, strengthen digital services and reduce pressure on university operating budgets.

The REA boss also urged the university to use the infrastructure to advance research into distributed energy resources and develop solutions suited to Nigeria’s energy needs.

The Head of the Nigeria Electrification Project, Olufemi Akinyelure, said the significance of the project should be measured by the wider development opportunities created by reliable electricity.

“The government may not be in the business of making profit, but it must always be in the business of making progress. And perhaps no public investment yields a greater return than investment in education because when we power a university, we do not merely light buildings; we illuminate minds, enable innovation and strengthen the future of our nation,” Akinyelure said.

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.


Abaribe said reliable electricity was fundamental to the development of Nigeria’s education system, recalling that power supply in universities was more dependable when he was a student.

He, however, stressed that the sustainability of public infrastructure required the active participation of the communities where such projects were located.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said dependable electricity was critical to the university’s academic mission.

Fawehinmi said a modern university could not effectively teach, conduct research, operate laboratories or sustain digital services without reliable power supply.

He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Rural Electrification Agency for the intervention, describing the solar hybrid project as a major infrastructure investment in the institution.


He also called for continued collaboration among government agencies and the university to ensure that the project remained operational and delivered its intended benefits to students and staff

THE MINISTER IS RIGHT.

He can beat his chest.

POWER SUPPLY HAS IMPROVED.

The lizard that fell down from the tall Iroko tree said he would praise himself if no one else did. (apologies, Achebe)

Nigeria is moving forward.

Onward ever, backwards never. 🇳🇬

Inasmuch 70 /80 percent Nigerians are not enjoying electricity there is no improvement,you can't used 15 percent Nigerians as point of reference

2 by 2 suppose land for some people head.

I reside at Ibadan, since the very day of Adelabu resignation, we have been enjoying more than 18 hours daily light..... At times I wonder if penkele was hoarding the output and tegbe decided to rather disburse.

Baawaa:
Inasmuch 70 /80 percent Nigerians are not enjoying electricity there is no improvement,you can't used 15 percent Nigerians as point of reference

Can you please tell us your location??
Does it mean you people are still not enjoying better power delivery?

Lol 😂 the minister need to “slow down” true true..

Of a truth, Power has improved considerably in my area in Lagos for months now, just like 2yrs back… I sometimes turn off my freezer, all the items stiff blocked!

Big kudos to Minister Tegbe.. Keep up the good work sir!

brain54:
:::


Just if maybe this your imagination is true... why would anyone tell you to slow down because freezers are freezing what is the purpose of people buying freezers if not to freeze?


Mr minister leave fabu alone and do your job.

Weird politicians everywhere.


:::

This man, can’t you simply decipher that was a funny way to tell the minister that the power has improved.. don’t take statements too serious!

A clown 🤡

Obakoolex:
I reside at Ibadan, since the very day of Adelabu resignation, we have been enjoying more than 18 hours daily light..... At times I wonder if penkele was hoarding the output and tegbe decided to rather disburse.

Lol I tell you.. since Adelabu left and Tegbe got in, surprisingly Power has tremendously improved in my area..

I wonder which “juju” Adelabu use hold our power down o.. 😂

Obakoolex:
Can you please tell us your location??
Does it mean you people are still not enjoying better power delivery?

You don't need to know his location.

All you have to do is to check how much is on national grid which is still hovering around 5,000 megawatts. Then when you look at our population of 180 million, there's no way that majority will enjoy that meagre 5,000 megawatts.

Adelabu was holding power in his trousers,you mean

Make dry season come first

How these people reason is unbelievable. Some people in Lekki don't get 8 hours of light perday. Let him mention the areas.

iwaeda:
How these people reason is unbelievable. Some people in Lekki don't get 8 hours of light perday. Let him mention the areas.

You too dey lie sha

Just like Tegbe of Power, A new Minister of petroleum is needed.........Let the Old cargo incompetent Minister of petroleum give way for an effective petrol minister............


Power Testimony is also needed in Petroleum industry

That's how you know a politician from Lagos when Tinubu was governor.

Thy just say rubbish.

And a lady was crying that she doesn't have supply at Sangotedo on Instagram yesterday.

commoditiesnig:
Lol 😂 the minister need to “slow down” true true..

Of a truth, Power has improved considerably in my area in Lagos for months now, just like 2yrs back… I sometimes turn off my freezer, all the items stiff blocked!

Big kudos to Minister Tegbe.. Keep up the good work sir!



This man, can’t you simply decipher that was a funny way to tell the minister that the power has improved.. don’t take statements too serious!

:::

Funny way to tell who what?


Because power has been a bit stable at your side the rest majority of Nigerians should go fk themselves?


How much power was added to the national grid that has caused power to improve? The minister should give verify able claims like so and so megawatts has been added to the national grid, these number of transformers or whatever was purchased etc and not tell us crk and bull stories about people telling him their freezers are doing what they were bought for.


Na you sabi decipher pass na.


Do you know what it means for power to improve nationally in Nigeria.. can you decipher that?


:::

rossipki:
THE MINISTER IS RIGHT.

He can beat his chest.

POWER SUPPLY HAS IMPROVED.

The lizard that fell down from the tall Iroko tree said he would praise himself if no one else did. (apologies, Achebe)

Nigeria is moving forward.

Onward ever, backwards never. 🇳🇬

Most of you don't know anything asweear school no be scam ooooo, wait till November/December if you will see light, do you know why? I guess you don't know. Read the link to know why.

https://independent.ng/rainy-season-report-sees-improved-power-supply/

Madness starts in different stages

In 2026 btw. These people have no shame. A country without 24hrs power supply.

Delusion of grand proportions

Light is so good in my residential area now while at my workplace,it's nothing to write home about.So I'm currently experiencing the two world.

rossipki:
THE MINISTER IS RIGHT.

He can beat his chest.

POWER SUPPLY HAS IMPROVED.

The lizard that fell down from the tall Iroko tree said he would praise himself if no one else did. (apologies, Achebe)

Nigeria is moving forward.

Onward ever, backwards never. 🇳🇬

True. In my area of Lekki, for over a week now, it has been almost 24/7 constant power.

ExudeLoveToAll:
Most of you don't know anything asweear school no be scam ooooo, wait till November/December if you will see light, do you know why? I guess you don't know. Read the link to know why.

https://independent.ng/rainy-season-report-sees-improved-power-supply/

You are the the one who does not know anything. I know virtually as much as a layman can know about the Nigerian power sector because I made the effort to research and learn rather than be influenced by bias and prejudice against a leader, political Party etc.

I am the poster who has made it clear many times here that hydro power is not the main source of Nigeria's power supply and only contributes an average of 20% to 25% to our power supply stock.

How can it then be responsible for massive and prolonged increase in power supply? You guys need to stop this nonsense.

You are embarrassing Nigeria acting as enemies, haters and demarketers of your own nation.

It is amusing how Nigerians who are ignorant are the most insultive and accusing other
"most of you don't know anything asweear school no be scam ooooo".

Usmanovic95:
Light is so good in my residential area now while at my workplace,it's nothing to write home about. So I'm currently experiencing the two world.

Band Issues likely. If your residential area is band A, meaning you don't enjoy any subsidy and have a high prepaid meter rate, then you get priority for power supply.

Your workplace may be in a much lower band hence poor power. If you go to buy power.ng you can identify the band your work area is in.

Another format! Na you go tell z00gerians say Nepa dey work. Failure praising himself..

Measured, of course. No need for a lengthy report.

Bayoonanuga:
Determine the area you live

if you live at the area where 90% of the residents are using prepaid meter you'll enjoy 24hrs electricity

baba band A has been enjoying 24hrs power since 2017.

Electricity supply is naturally stable during rainy season. Don't rejoice yet. The real litmus test of your performance is during the dry session when hydro powered turbines cannot be effectively wheeled and attention is shifted to gas powered turbines. If you have not solved the gas supply issues, concentrate on that now instead of chest beating.