Nigerians Say Slow Down, Freezers Are Over Freezing — Power Minister Boasts Of Improved Supply

Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, says some Nigerians in areas that previously spent months without electricity are now enjoying up to 18 hours of power supply, with some jokingly asking him to slow down because their freezers are constantly freezing.

Tegbe said this on Wednesday in Abuja during the commissioning of a 3-megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as University of Abuja.

According to Vanguard, the minister said the improvement in supply has generated feedback from consumers across the country, particularly in communities that had endured prolonged blackouts.

He cited areas that had no electricity for about three months but now have up to 18 hours daily, noting that some residents contacted him to complain that their freezers were now over freezing.

“Some residents contacted me and asked me to reduce the pace of improvement because their freezers were now freezing continuously,” Tegbe said.

Responding, the minister said continuous freezing is the basic function of a freezer and urged consumers to allow the appliances to do their job.

Tegbe recalled that during his Senate screening, he assured Nigerians that improvements in electricity supply would be noticeable within three to six months.

He however acknowledged that the nation’s power infrastructure remains a major challenge, as some facilities in use are over four decades old. He said government is gradually replacing the old infrastructure while introducing new facilities to improve reliability.

The minister also decried vandalism of power infrastructure, disclosing that three major transmission towers in Birnin Kebbi were recently pulled down.

According to him, the towers are critical to supply to Kebbi State and extending towards Niger Republic. He said vandals weakened the foundations before bringing them down and cutting sections for sale as scrap.

To address the menace, Tegbe said the Federal Government has set up a joint working committee involving the EFCC, Nigeria Police and NSCDC to protect critical electricity infrastructure and ensure vandalism attracts serious criminal consequences.

On the university project, Tegbe said the facility features a 3.3-megawatt solar array, 3MW AC output and battery storage, designed to power lecture halls, laboratories, ICT centres, administrative buildings and campus lighting.

He said the project will benefit over 58,726 students, with 6,078 photovoltaic panels and 388 streetlights installed across the university. He added that 3,201 jobs were created during construction and implementation.

The minister said the battery storage system can be expanded to cover more areas including student hostels, and that the Rural Electrification Agency will collaborate with the university to improve lighting in under-covered areas.

He urged the institution to leverage the facility for research in renewable energy, battery storage, smart metering, energy management, grid integration and cybersecurity.

Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the project as a key achievement under the Energising Education Programme, saying reliable power will improve learning, research, lab work and digital services while cutting operating costs.

Head of the Nigeria Electrification Project, Olufemi Akinyelure, said reliable electricity creates wider development opportunities and strengthens investment in education.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, commended the government and the minister, describing stable electricity as essential to education, but urged communities to help protect public infrastructure.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said stable power is critical for teaching, research, laboratory and digital operations, and thanked the Federal Government and REA, calling for sustained cooperation to keep the project operational.