The Federal Government has announced a significant improvement in the national power grid, revealing that an additional 700 megawatts of transmission capacity has been installed, contributing to the recent stability in power supply across the country
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made the disclosure during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, in Abuja over the weekend. In a statement released by his media aide, Adelabu noted that nearly 90 percent of the transmission upgrades have been completed and are already operational.
“We have installed almost 90% of this and they are working. That has improved transmission capacity by over 700 megawatts, which is the reason we are seeing relative stability in the transmission grid,” he said.
He explained that prior to the upgrade, the grid would often collapse once power supply reached around 5,000MW. Now, the system has been handling between 5,000 and 8,000MW on average without such disruptions.
Adelabu also highlighted what he described as two key milestones under the current administration: achieving the highest-ever average daily power consumption—over 20,000 kilowatt-hours—and recording a new peak transmission of 5,801.63 megawatts, surpassing the previous national record set in 2021.
“In addition, we’ve reached a new peak in available generation capacity, hitting 6,003 megawatts for the first time in the country’s history,” he added.
The Minister appealed to EU member states to continue offering technical and financial support, especially in the power sector, which he described as the backbone of Nigeria’s economic growth. He affirmed Nigeria’s readiness to maintain strong bilateral and multilateral partnerships.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the power sector, stating that the President had provided the necessary backing to drive reforms and attract critical investments.
Adelabu acknowledged the longstanding support from European nations like Germany and France, and commended their development partners for their contributions.
“When I received the request to meet, I was eager because we are keen on learning from Western experiences. Power is central to every sector’s performance. Without it, the economy can’t grow, which is why Mr. President has prioritized its transformation,” he said.
Reflecting on the country’s electricity history, he lamented that despite being one of the earliest nations in Africa to get electricity—before some European countries—Nigeria still struggles with erratic supply, leaving homes and industries underpowered.
He pointed to the progress made since President Tinubu assumed office, especially in expanding energy access to rural and underserved communities through grid extensions and renewable energy projects like solar and small hydro dams.
A key turning point, according to Adelabu, was the signing of the Electricity Act of 2023, which has paved the way for ongoing reforms.
He also spotlighted the Presidential Power Initiative, better known as the Siemens Project, aimed at revamping the country’s transmission infrastructure. The initiative, backed by a $2.3 billion financing plan, is being executed with support from the German government and other international partners.
“We’ve almost completed the pilot phase involving the importation, installation, and commissioning of 10 power transformers and 10 mobile substations across the country,” Adelabu said, noting that reputable Chinese firms are also contributing to the distribution segment of the sector.
He concluded by expressing optimism that with continued investment and international collaboration, Nigeria’s power sector is on track to achieve lasting transformation.
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