The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a substantial investment exceeding N500 billion aimed at completing over 100 abandoned projects related to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this announcement during a recent visit to the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO). His engagement with local stakeholders, including KEDCO, was centered around identifying and addressing the challenges hindering the performance of the power sector in Nigeria. During this meeting, he expressed his regret over the extended period of blackouts endured by Nigerians, particularly those living in northern regions, citing a recent 15-day blackout as a significant concern.
Adelabu highlighted that many of the TCN projects under discussion were at advanced stages of completion, ranging from 80% to 95%. He revealed that a formal request had been submitted to President Bola Tinubu, appealing for dedicated funding to be included in the 2025 budget for these projects. The minister emphasized that the neglect of TCN projects was detrimental and that resurrecting these initiatives would ultimately improve the nation’s power supply infrastructure. He underscored the immediate need to rethink and reshape the transmission architecture, which heavily leans on specific channels like Shiroro and Jos, leaving northern regions precariously vulnerable to power disruptions.
The minister pointed out that to mitigate future grid failures and consequent outages, exploring alternative power sources is critical. This, he noted, would serve as a safeguard against the collapse of the national grid. Adelabu articulated that reliance on a radial system for energy distribution was inherently risky, particularly for the northern regions during disruptions. He advocated for a proactive approach that involved multiple stakeholders, acknowledging that the government alone could not shoulder the entire responsibility of electricity provision. His call to action urged a collaborative effort among various parties, including state governments and distribution companies (discos), to establish independent power sources that would enhance the stability and reliability of electricity supply.
Furthermore, Adelabu expressed concern over the poor metering process in Nigeria, reporting that only 33% of electricity consumers currently have meters. He encouraged KEDCO and other discos to take more decisive steps to increase meter availability for consumers, which would, in turn, improve service delivery within the sector. Addressing rumors about the government’s supposed neglect of the northern region during the recent power outages, he clarified that the extended blackout was neither intentional nor discriminatory, describing the situation as unfortunate. He assured residents that the government aims to find permanent solutions to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
During his visit to the Kano State Government House, Adelabu emphasized the importance of collaborative investment in the power sector, urging the local government to partner with the federal ministry to facilitate power generation and distribution initiatives. He noted the decentralization of the power sector, where ten states now have opportunities to generate electricity. The minister requested that Kano State join the ranks of those actively participating in power production and distribution, advocating for collaboration on uncompleted projects that pose economic risks due to potential losses from delayed implementation.
In response to Adelabu’s discussions, Shehu Wada Sagagi, representing the Kano State governor, assured the minister of the state’s commitment to exploring investments in the power sector and the potential for budgetary subsidies for consumers. This dialogue reflects the government’s renewed vigor to address power supply issues, with both federal and state stakeholders recognizing the need for a more integrated approach to energy management. The collaborative efforts aim to revitalize the ailing power sector and support economic recovery by improving electricity access for both consumers and industries across Nigeria.
