Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has said some Nigerians have asked him to “slow down” with improvements in electricity supply because their freezers are now working continuously.

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

According to the minister, some communities that previously experienced prolonged power outages are now receiving significantly longer hours of electricity supply.

“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,” Tegbe said.

“That is what freezer is meant to do. Let it freeze the food that needs to be frozen.”

The minister recalled that during his Senate screening, he promised that Nigerians would begin to notice improvements in electricity supply within three to six months.

However, he acknowledged that the power sector still faces major challenges, particularly ageing infrastructure.

“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.

Vandalism Threatens Power Infrastructure

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.

He said the affected towers were part of the infrastructure supplying electricity to Kebbi State and extending to Niger Republic.

According to him, the vandals attacked the foundations of the towers before bringing them down and cutting parts of the structures for sale as scrap.

The minister disclosed that the Federal Government had established a joint working committee involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Police Force and 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.

Tegbe 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 From Solar Project

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.

He said the project would provide electricity to critical university facilities, including lecture halls, laboratories, ICT facilities, administrative buildings and campus lighting.

More than 58,726 students are expected to benefit from the project, which includes 6,078 photovoltaic panels and 388 streetlights installed across the university.

The minister said the project also created 3,201 jobs during its implementation.

He added that the battery storage capacity could be expanded to provide electricity to additional areas of the university, including student hostels.

Tegbe said the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) would work with the university to address areas of the campus that still require improved lighting.

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