Nigeria’s Power Minister dismisses tariff hike rumours amid new Ibadan mini‑grid rollout

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, used a groundbreaking ceremony in Ibadan on 15 October 2026 to address circulating reports of a forthcoming electricity tariff increase. According to statements reported by both Legit.ng and BusinessDay, Tegbe categorically denied any such plan, emphasizing that the federal government has not scheduled a hike in consumer electricity rates.

The ceremony marked the commencement of five interconnected mini‑grid installations across the Ibadan metropolitan area. Collectively, the projects deliver an installed capacity of 17.7 megawatts and incorporate a battery energy storage system capable of 17.74 megawatt‑hours. The sites are located in the communities of Bola, Jiboye, Molade‑Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko‑Elega, and are intended to supply electricity to households in the Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu local government areas.

Funding for the mini‑grids comes from the World Bank, with implementation support from Paras Energy. Tegbe described the installations as part of President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which seeks to broaden electricity access and reduce reliance on private generators. He also noted that the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has previously backed similar projects in other states, signalling a continued federal focus on off‑grid solutions.

Beyond the Ibadan initiative, the minister outlined a broader strategy to improve national power delivery through designated energy corridors. These corridors include routes linking Lagos with Ogun, Abuja with Kaduna and Kano, and a southern corridor connecting Benin, Enugu and Port Harcourt. The approach is intended to strengthen the national grid, encourage private investment and create employment opportunities within the energy sector.

Tegbe’s remarks came after media reports suggested a possible tariff adjustment, prompting the minister to clarify the government’s stance. By coupling the denial of a price rise with the launch of the mini‑grid projects, the federal administration aims to reassure consumers while demonstrating progress toward expanding reliable electricity coverage across Nigeria.

The mini‑grid rollout reflects an effort to address Nigeria’s chronic power shortages, with the added battery storage component intended to improve supply stability. If successful, the projects could serve as a model for similar interventions in other regions, aligning with the government’s stated goal of increasing electricity access for underserved communities.