Precious Anga
Lagos — The Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, has committed ₦20 billion to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity transmission infrastructure, with the funding supporting the rehabilitation and expansion of the Apapa Transmission Substation in Lagos.
JICA Chief Representative, Ishigame Keiji, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, explaining that the intervention was designed to address ageing infrastructure and rising electricity demand in the state.
He said the project covered construction works, equipment procurement, engineering services, operational training and implementation support required to upgrade the Apapa Transmission Substation.
“Apapa Substation occupies a vital position within Nigeria’s transmission network. The rehabilitation and reinforcement undertaken through this project have enhanced transmission capacity,” Keiji said.
According to him, the intervention has also improved operational reliability, strengthened grid stability and reduced bottlenecks affecting electricity evacuation and distribution in Lagos and neighbouring areas.
Keiji said Japan, through JICA, was implementing another Official Development Assistance project under a concessional loan arrangement to further strengthen the transmission network across the Lagos-Ogun corridor.
“The Government of Japan, through JICA, is collaborating with the Ministry of Power to enhance stable and reliable power supply in Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s large consumer and industrial market continued to attract Japanese companies and other private-sector investors, stressing that stronger government support, combined with private investment, would help accelerate improvements in the country’s electricity infrastructure.
The JICA chief representative also called for a balanced development of on-grid, off-grid and mini-grid electricity systems to expand access, particularly in underserved communities, noting that JICA was collaborating with the World Bank on mini-grid projects in rural areas.
The latest commitment comes as Lagos receives major investments aimed at increasing the amount of electricity that can be transmitted across the state. Recent upgrades at the Apapa Road and Ijora transmission substations increased their combined capacity, with Apapa rising to 180 MVA and Ijora to 230 MVA.
