DG NCSP, Mr. Joseph Tegbe
Susan Abayomi
The Federal Government has commenced the development of five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts in Oyo State, while ruling out plans to increase electricity tariffs.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this during the groundbreaking ceremony for the projects, which are expected to improve electricity access across Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas.
The projects, known as the Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-Elega interconnected mini-grids, will be supported by a 17.74-megawatt battery energy storage system.
According to the minister, the initiative is expected to improve power supply to households and businesses, reduce reliance on petrol and diesel generators, extend business operating hours and create opportunities for investment and employment.
Tegbe said the projects form part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to expand electricity access across the country.
He noted that similar interventions supported by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) had been implemented in communities across Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa and Kaduna states.
The minister acknowledged the contributions of the REA, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the project developer, the World Bank, which provided the financing, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
He also commended the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of the beneficiary communities for their cooperation. Tegbe specifically acknowledged the support of the Olubadan of Ibadanland towards the realisation of the projects.
On electricity tariffs, the minister dismissed reports of a planned increase, insisting that the Federal Government had no intention of raising electricity prices.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the reports, describing them as misinformation, and said the government’s immediate priority was to achieve reliable, round-the-clock electricity supply.
According to Tegbe, the government is working towards establishing three major energy zones covering the Lagos-Ogun corridor, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, and the Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
He added that plans were underway to strengthen the national grid across the eastern and western corridors, with strategic generation and transmission locations including Funtua, Kainji, Gwagwalada, Gombe, Makurdi, Ajaokuta, Ikot Ekpene, Benin and Egbin.
The minister said these interventions were designed to extend improvements in electricity stability and reliability beyond the initial energy zones, with the broader objective of making uninterrupted power supply achievable nationwide.
Tegbe formally flagged off the five mini-grid projects on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing optimism that their completion would improve livelihoods and expand economic opportunities for residents.
He described the initiative as an example of collaboration among government institutions, private sector operators and development partners to address Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
