By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has shared a light-hearted reaction from some citizens following improvements in electricity supply across parts of the country.

Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja during the commissioning of a 3-megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja, the minister said some residents jokingly asked him to “slow down” because their freezers were now running continuously.

According to Tegbe, communities that previously experienced long periods without electricity are beginning to enjoy more stable power supply, with some areas now receiving up to 18 hours of electricity daily.

He recounted that some people told him their freezers were freezing food all the time, a situation he described as the intended purpose of such appliances.

The minister noted that efforts to improve power supply are ongoing, adding that Nigerians would continue to see gradual progress in the sector.

Tegbe, who had earlier promised during his Senate screening that noticeable improvements would emerge within three to six months, said the government remains focused on addressing longstanding challenges affecting electricity generation and distribution.

He acknowledged that one of the biggest obstacles is the country’s ageing infrastructure, revealing that some facilities in the power sector are more than 40 years old.

According to him, the government has begun replacing outdated equipment and introducing modern infrastructure to improve efficiency and reliability.

The minister also raised concerns about vandalism, disclosing that three major transmission towers in Birnin Kebbi were recently damaged after vandals attacked their foundations and removed parts of the structures for scrap.

To tackle the problem, he said the government has set up a joint committee involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to protect critical electricity infrastructure.

Tegbe stressed that acts of vandalism would be treated as serious offences, as the government works to ensure a more stable and dependable electricity supply across the country.