The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) recorded 131 cases of infrastructure vandalism across its national network in 2025, even as it achieved the highest electricity transmission level in the country’s history.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Mr. Sule Abdulaziz, disclosed this in his end-of-year message to staff, partners and stakeholders, where he described 2025 as a “remarkable and historic year” for both the company and Nigeria’s electricity industry.
Despite the operational challenges posed by vandalism, liquidity constraints and an evolving regulatory environment, Abdulaziz announced that TCN successfully transmitted an all-time peak electricity load of 5,801.84 megawatts on March 4, 2025. This was accompanied by a maximum daily energy delivery of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours nationwide—the highest ever recorded on Nigeria’s national grid.
According to him, the milestone was the result of deliberate investments in infrastructure rehabilitation, expansion of transformer capacity and sustained maintenance of transmission assets across the country.
“This year has presented its unique set of challenges, from persistent infrastructure vandalisation to regulatory and liquidity constraints,” Abdulaziz said. “Yet, it is in overcoming these obstacles that the true strength and resilience of our team have been demonstrated.”
He noted that TCN made significant progress in strengthening the national grid by rehabilitating ageing infrastructure and expanding transformer capacity, which increased the company’s wheeling capacity to 8,700MW, better positioning it to support Nigeria’s growing electricity demand.
Between January 2024 and November 2025, Abdulaziz disclosed that TCN commissioned 82 new power transformers, adding over 8,500 megavolt-amperes to the grid to improve reliability and system stability.
However, he expressed concern over the persistent threat of vandalism, revealing that 131 incidents were recorded between January and November 2025 alone. He said TCN is working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser, security agencies and community vigilante groups to address the menace through improved surveillance, sensitisation campaigns and community engagement.
The TCN boss also highlighted key reforms in the power sector in 2025, including the unbundling of TCN and the successful launch of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), which he said would strengthen grid management and transparency.
He further disclosed that donor-funded projects valued at over $1.16 billion were advanced during the year. These include the Abuja Feeding Scheme, which involves the construction of five new substations and a new 330kV transmission line. Some of the projects have been completed, while others are ongoing to modernise the grid and expand capacity.
Abdulaziz commended TCN staff for their dedication, describing them as the company’s greatest asset. He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, security agencies, development partners and other stakeholders for their support, while offering condolences to the families of staff who lost their lives in 2025.
Looking ahead to 2026, he said TCN would intensify efforts to increase grid capacity, stability and efficiency, while deepening collaboration with NISO and other sector stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity supply industry.
Established to ensure reliable electricity transmission nationwide, TCN remains the backbone of Nigeria’s power sector. The record-breaking transmission achieved in 2025 underscores growing grid stability and capacity, even as challenges such as vandalism continue to test the system.
