The Federal Government has announced plans to wheel about 6,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity by December 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity transmission infrastructure and support economic growth.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed the plan in Lagos during the inauguration of two new 100 megavolt-ampere (MVA), 132/33 kilovolt power transformers at the Ijora Transmission Substation.
According to the minister, the government intends to commission 20 transmission projects across the country before the end of the year.
The initiative is aimed at addressing one of the longstanding challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector: the gap between electricity generation and the capacity of the transmission network to deliver available power to consumers.
Focus on Reliable Electricity Delivery
Tegbe stressed that the government’s objective is not simply to increase electricity generation.
Rather, the priority is to build a transmission system capable of delivering available electricity reliably, efficiently and at an affordable cost to locations where it is needed.
The minister said the government wants to create a power system that can support economic activity by ensuring that electricity reaches consumers at the required quality and reliability.
This approach reflects the importance of transmission infrastructure to Nigeria’s broader economic ambitions.
Even when electricity is generated, inadequate transmission capacity can prevent the available power from reaching homes, businesses and industries.
Twenty Transmission Projects Planned
The Federal Government’s plan to commission 20 transmission projects before the end of 2026 represents a major infrastructure push.
The projects are expected to improve the capacity and resilience of the national transmission network while helping to reduce bottlenecks that limit the amount of electricity that can be delivered to consumers.
The newly inaugurated transformers at the Ijora Transmission Substation form part of this wider effort.
Modern transformers and transmission facilities are critical to moving electricity efficiently from generation points to distribution networks.
Supporting Economic Growth
The power sector is closely linked to Nigeria’s economic development.
Manufacturers, small businesses, technology companies and other enterprises depend on reliable electricity to reduce operating costs and improve productivity.
The minister linked the transmission investment to President Bola Tinubu’s ambition of transforming Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy.
A stronger electricity network could therefore play an important role in achieving that objective by improving the operating environment for businesses and encouraging industrial expansion.
Beyond Generation
Nigeria has historically focused heavily on increasing generation capacity. However, generation alone cannot solve the country’s electricity challenges.
Power must also be transmitted and distributed effectively.
The government’s 6,000MW wheeling target therefore places greater emphasis on the infrastructure connecting electricity producers with consumers.
If the target is achieved, it could represent an important step toward improving electricity reliability across the country.
However, sustained improvements will also depend on progress in generation, distribution infrastructure, gas supply, sector financing and the financial health of electricity market participants.
For now, the Federal Government is betting on major transmission investments to help unlock more of the electricity Nigeria already has the capacity to generate.
