Nigeria's Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has categorically ruled out any plan to increase electricity tariffs in the country, dismissing circulating claims as unfounded. Speaking on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Tegbe made the declaration during a groundbreaking ceremony for five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined installed capacity of 17.7 megawatts and a supporting 17.74-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
"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," Tegbe told the gathering, as reported by Channels Television.
Five Mini-Grid Projects to Serve Five LGAs
The five projects are sited in Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa, and Sooko-Elega. They are designed to provide electricity to communities in the Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda, and Lagelu Local Government Areas. Tegbe said the initiative would reduce residents' dependence on private generators, attract investment, and support job creation in the affected communities.
The minister described the projects as part of the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda and noted that the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) had supported similar interventions across other states. The projects are backed by the World Bank and Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited.
Broader Energy Access Strategy Unveiled
Beyond the mini-grids, Tegbe said the government was rolling out a broader energy access strategy built around designated corridors, including the Lagos-Ogun, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridors. He added that work to strengthen the national grid and upgrade generation and transmission infrastructure across the country's eastern, western, and central corridors was already underway.
This strategy aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to expand electricity access nationwide. The minister's comments come amid public speculation about potential tariff adjustments, but he stressed that the government's focus remains on improving supply reliability rather than increasing costs.
Stakeholders Credited for Project Success
The minister praised President Bola Tinubu for his leadership on the power sector and acknowledged the roles of the REA, project developer Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the World Bank, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company in bringing the projects to fruition. The Oyo State Government, local traditional rulers, and other community stakeholders were also recognised for their contributions.
The groundbreaking event marks a significant step in the federal government's efforts to decentralise electricity generation and improve access in underserved areas. The mini-grids are expected to provide reliable power to thousands of residents, reducing the reliance on expensive and polluting diesel generators.
As the projects move forward, the government is expected to continue its focus on expanding electricity access through similar initiatives across the country, with the goal of achieving 24/7 power supply as a key pillar of its energy policy.
