Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe assured Nigerians that the Federal Government has no plans to raise electricity tariffs, focusing instead on 24/7 power.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has assured citizens across the country that the Federal Government has no intention or plan to increase electricity tariffs, explaining that the primary focus of the administration is to fix power infrastructure and deliver round the clock electricity to homes and businesses nationwide.
The minister gave this strong reassurance on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during the official groundbreaking ceremony for five new interconnected solar mini-grid power projects in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The massive project, which features a combined electricity capacity of 17.7 megawatts alongside a 17.74-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System, is designed to bring reliable electricity to several local communities, including Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa, and Sooko-Elega across Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda, and Lagelu Local Government Areas.
Addressing community leaders, state government representatives, and energy developers gathered at the ceremony venue, Minister Joseph Tegbe urged the public to disregard fake news and misleading rumors claiming that light bills were about to go up.
Clearing the air on electricity prices and declaring the government’s true intention for the power sector, Joseph Tegbe stated: “I want to say this clearly and without ambiguity: there is no plan to increase electricity tariffs. What we are planning is a power sector that works around the clock. Our commitment is 24/7 power.”
The minister explained that instead of overburdening citizens with higher bills, the government is focusing on building special energy zones to supply strong and uninterrupted light to key industrial and residential regions.
Outlining the target areas chosen by the government to improve light distribution across the nation, Tegbe stated that the government was pursuing an energy strategy focused on improving electricity supply through designated energy zones, including the Lagos-Ogun, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridors.
He added that plans were underway to strengthen the national grid and improve generation and transmission infrastructure across the country’s eastern, western and central corridors.
Explaining how the new solar mini-grid facilities will transform daily living conditions for residents and business owners in Oyo State, the minister emphasized that local shops, artisans, and hospitals will no longer depend heavily on costly petrol and diesel generators to run their daily activities.
Highlighting the economic benefits of the newly launched projects, Tegbe noted that the projects would improve electricity access, reduce dependence on generators, and create better conditions for businesses, investment, and job creation.
Describing the development initiative as a key part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the minister commended all national and international partners who collaborated to make the projects possible.
He specifically acknowledged the contributions of the Rural Electrification Agency, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the World Bank, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers, and local community leaders.
The construction of the solar power plants has already begun, giving residents strong hopes of enjoying over 20 hours of uninterrupted electricity daily once completed.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
