Nigeria's Power Minister Advocates for Resilient Grids

On September 2, 2023, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe, stated that resilient electricity grids are essential for national energy security. Speaking at the Middle East Energy 2026 Leadership Summit in Dubai, Tegbe argued that reliance solely on hydrocarbon reserves is insufficient to shield economies from geopolitical and economic shocks.

He emphasized that energy security now encompasses the resilience of electricity infrastructure and critical mineral supply chains. Tegbe noted that Nigeria's power sector reforms aim to create the necessary certainty to attract long-term investments, highlighting the importance of regulatory certainty and contract sanctity.

He described the Electricity Act 2023 as a significant reform, ending the Federal Government's monopoly and establishing 37 emerging electricity markets across Nigeria. Under President Bola Tinubu's administration, these reforms could serve as a model for other developing economies.

Tegbe also warned that affordability should be a consideration in energy security discussions, advocating for orderly energy transitions tailored to individual countries' circumstances.