Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a bold move to reshape Nigeria’s power sector and fast-track electricity access to Nigerians, the Federal Government has unbundled the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN and rolled out a multi-billion-dollar investment plan backed by global financiers.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, during the 6th edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series hosted by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in Abuja.
Adelabu disclosed that TCN has now been split into the Nigeria Independent System Operator, NISO, and the Transmission Service Provider, TSP, in a reform designed to “ensure clarity of purpose, strengthen governance, and attract investor confidence.”
“This unbundling is long overdue. It marks a new era for our grid management structure. With NISO and TSP operating independently, we can finally ensure accountability, enhance grid efficiency, and unlock the investment pipeline,” he said.
The Minister revealed that Nigeria will benefit from a $30 billion World Bank and African Development Bank initiative—Mission 300—aimed at connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, with 75 million Nigerians set to gain access under the plan.
“This is one of the most ambitious energy access drives in our history. It’s not just a power project; it’s a human development initiative. Electricity access for 75 million people means schools, hospitals, small businesses and households can finally thrive,” Adelabu said.
Complementing this is the $750 million DARES project—a World Bank-financed initiative to power 17.5 million Nigerians through solar hybrid mini-grids, standalone solar systems, and technical assistance.
Nigeria’s national grid has also reached a new operational capacity of 8,900MW, a development driven by ongoing infrastructure investments and the conclusion of the pilot phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (Siemens Project), which has delivered 700MW across 13 locations.
Adelabu confirmed that Phase 1 of the project has been approved by the Federal Executive Council and will add another 7,000MW to the grid. “With Siemens, we are not only expanding capacity, we are building a smarter, more reliable grid,” he said.
The Minister highlighted a 70% surge in power sector revenue in 2024, which grew from N1.05 trillion in 2023 to N1.7 trillion, attributing it to the recent cost-reflective tariff adjustment on Band A customers.
“We are now seeing real growth and sustainability. The subsidy shortfall has dropped by over N1 trillion. We’re saving money and building a stronger sector,” he noted.
The Minister also announced that feasibility studies are underway to harness hydropower and wind energy along the Lagos–Calabar and Sokoto–Badagry highway corridors, while 100 MW modular solar plants are being planned across all 19 northern states.
Plans are progressing for a 1,000MW hydro plant in Makurdi, as well as the regionalisation of the national grid into Eastern and Western supergrids to reduce failures and improve distribution efficiency.
Adelabu emphasized a new wave of regulatory oversight, disclosing that DisCos have been fined over N600 million for infractions, including overbilling.
“Let me be clear: this government will not tolerate exploitation. We are on the side of the people, and we will keep being on the side of the people,” he warned.
