Power Grids Must Get Same Strategic Attention as Fuel Supply — Tegbe

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called for electricity grids to receive the same strategic attention traditionally given to fuel supplies in global energy security planning, warning that resilient power infrastructure is becoming increasingly critical to national security and economic stability.

Tegbe made the call on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at the opening plenary of the Middle East Energy 2026 Leadership Summit in Dubai.

Speaking on the theme, “Energy Security and the Effect of Geopolitics,” at the 50th edition of the summit, the minister said the global energy landscape was changing rapidly, requiring countries to rethink how energy security is defined and managed.

According to him, energy security can no longer be measured solely by the availability of oil and gas reserves. It must also include the resilience of electricity grids, critical mineral supply chains, access to capital and the strength of institutions supporting the energy system.

Grid Resilience Is Now a Security Issue

Tegbe argued that countries must treat reliable electricity infrastructure as a strategic priority, particularly during periods of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

He said the ability to keep electricity flowing to homes, hospitals and businesses during periods of crisis should be regarded as an essential component of national security.

“The minister set out four propositions for the summit’s delegates: that diversification, not diplomatic disengagement, is the surest form of strategic insurance; that grids now deserve the same strategic seriousness historically reserved for fuel supply; that affordability is itself a security issue; and that the global energy transition must be orderly, just and responsive to the circumstances of individual nations,” a statement issued by his media aide, Adeola Labzy, said.

The minister also described energy affordability as a security issue, stressing that the global transition to cleaner energy must take into account the economic realities and development needs of individual countries.

Nigeria’s Power Reforms Aim to Attract Investment

Tegbe said Nigeria’s ongoing power sector reforms are designed to create greater certainty for investors.

He identified regulatory certainty, respect for existing contracts and bankable offtake arrangements as critical requirements for attracting the capital needed to develop the sector.

“Capital does not flee risk; it flees uncertainty. Investors will price risk all day long; what they cannot price is a rule that changes after the contract is signed,” he said.

He pointed to the Electricity Act 2023 as a major milestone in Nigeria’s power sector reform, describing it as the most far-reaching change to the sector in a generation.

According to Tegbe, the legislation ended the Federal Government’s longstanding monopoly over electricity and opened the way for the emergence of 37 electricity markets across the country.

He said the reforms, being implemented under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, could provide useful lessons for other developing economies seeking to strengthen their electricity markets and attract private investment.

Gas Remains Important to Nigeria’s Energy Strategy

While emphasising the growing importance of electricity grids, Tegbe also highlighted Nigeria’s position in the global gas market.

He pointed to the country’s more than 200 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves and its two-decade record of supplying liquefied natural gas to markets in Europe and Asia.

According to the minister, Nigeria’s gas resources give the country an important role in the global energy security conversation, particularly as countries seek to balance energy reliability, affordability and the transition to cleaner sources.

Africa at the Centre of Global Energy Geopolitics

Tegbe argued that Africa’s role in global energy security is likely to become increasingly important.

He noted that about 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, while the continent possesses significant mineral resources, abundant solar potential, a young workforce and rapidly growing energy demand.

These factors, he said, place Africa at the centre rather than the margins of global energy geopolitics.

“Africa is not at the margins of energy geopolitics; it is the fulcrum,” Tegbe said.

He called for partnerships that move beyond the extraction of Africa’s raw resources to include local processing, manufacturing, skills development and long-term capital.

Such an approach, he argued, would allow African countries to capture more value from their natural resources while strengthening their energy systems and industrial capacity.

Nigeria Invites Global Capital Into Energy Infrastructure

The minister used the summit to invite international investors and development partners to participate in the expansion of Africa’s energy infrastructure.

He said Nigeria was committed to building a stronger energy system and encouraged global partners to participate in the opportunity.

“Nigeria has chosen to build. Africa has chosen to build. And we invite you, in the spirit of this remarkable city and this landmark fiftieth summit, to build with us,” he said.

Tegbe is expected to participate in further engagements in Dubai during the week, including a ministerial fireside session focused on financing Africa’s power future under the summit’s Africa Spotlight programme.

What This Means for Business

The minister’s remarks highlight a broader shift in the way electricity is viewed within economic planning. For businesses, a more resilient grid, clearer regulation and greater access to investment could help reduce energy-related operating risks and support long-term expansion.

For Nigeria, however, attracting the capital required to transform its power sector will depend not only on infrastructure investment but also on maintaining the regulatory certainty and commercial confidence investors require.