Susan Abayomi
The Federal Government is moving into a new phase of power-sector reforms focused on strengthening the national grid, attracting investment and maximising existing electricity infrastructure, Minister of Power Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe has said.
Tegbe disclosed this in Abuja while presenting his scorecard for his first 100 days in office, outlining measures aimed at consolidating recent interventions and preparing the electricity sector for future demand.
According to the minister, the ministry’s initial efforts centred on diagnosing challenges within the electricity value chain, stabilising the existing system, recovering stranded capacity and strengthening the commercial and governance structures needed to support sustainable investment.
He said the next phase would focus on deeper grid stabilisation, development of a Transmission Super Grid, improved utilisation of existing assets and preparations for increasing electricity demand.
Nigeria-China Partnership
Tegbe said recent engagements between Nigeria and China had produced commitments from Sinomach, the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), the China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC) and Chinese financiers to accelerate priority power projects.
He said the engagements were designed to move beyond financing discussions towards partnerships involving investment, technology transfer and project execution.
According to him, CMEC had reaffirmed its involvement in the 1.9GW Presidential Power Initiative, with the first transmission lines expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2027.
CNEEC, he added, had progressed financing arrangements for the $116 million Zungeru power evacuation project, with approval targeted before the end of the year.
TBEA also committed to a proposed $500 million industrial park for power-equipment manufacturing, alongside accelerated work on the Presidential Power Initiative and a three-year delivery plan for the East-West Super Grid.
HengFei Cables, the minister said, had committed to supplying cables for the second phase of the PPI and proposed establishing a cable assembly plant and training centre in Nigeria.
Tegbe said the initiatives would help link power infrastructure development with local manufacturing and technical capacity.
Super Grid Development
The minister said the ministry had commenced technical audits along the Lagos and Abuja transmission corridors to identify weaknesses and direct investment towards areas with measurable impact.
He identified the Lagos, Enugu-Port Harcourt and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridors as key components of the grid-stabilisation programme.
While stabilising the existing corridors through the PPI and other interventions, Tegbe said the ministry would also commence development of the proposed Transmission Super Grid.
Digital Transformation
Tegbe disclosed that the Federal Government had entered into a cooperation agreement with Huawei Technologies to support the digitalisation of the national grid.
The partnership covers areas including loss reduction, assessment of SCADA gaps and technical training.
He said improved digital monitoring and system control would strengthen the management and performance of the country’s electricity network.
Mambila, Renewable Energy Investments
The minister also spoke on the Mambila Hydropower Project, following Nigeria’s victory in the arbitration relating to the project.
He said the ministry had engaged Energy China on the project and directed the contractor to examine practical options for implementation, including a possible phased approach.
According to Tegbe, large-scale hydropower projects such as Mambila, alongside smaller hydropower schemes serving agricultural corridors, would form part of Nigeria’s medium- and long-term electricity strategy.
He also highlighted the establishment of the Renewable Asset Management Company (RAMCO), which is expected to support the financing and management of renewable-energy infrastructure.
RAMCO will engage qualified operators for services including metering, billing, revenue collection and maintenance, while targeting the mobilisation of ₦3 trillion over the coming years for investment in public renewable-energy assets.
From Stabilisation to Expansion
Tegbe said the ministry’s first 100 days were primarily focused on putting the foundations for future expansion in place.
“Stabilisation is the essential first stage of expansion,” he said.
The minister said the ministry would continue to work with development partners, including the World Bank, African Finance Corporation, African Development Bank, Sustainable Energy for All and UK PACT, on financing, technical assistance, hydropower development and electrification programmes.
He said the ministry’s focus over the next six months would be to translate ongoing repairs, investments and reforms into more visible improvements in electricity supply.
“Our original commitment to visible, incremental improvements remains the benchmark,” Tegbe said.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to a structured approach to addressing challenges in the power sector, strengthening the national grid, improving electricity supply and maintaining clear communication with Nigerians.
