Paragraph 1: Nigeria’s ambitious plans for grid expansion and nationwide electrification are facing significant hurdles due to the precarious state of its transmission infrastructure. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), responsible for managing the high-voltage network connecting power generation companies to distribution firms, is grappling with a multitude of challenges. These include aging infrastructure, rampant vandalism, severe funding shortages, and regulatory bottlenecks, all of which are impeding the efficient delivery of electricity to the Nigerian populace. This situation has reached a crisis point, threatening to undermine the nation’s economic development and aspirations for a modern energy future.
Paragraph 2: Vandalism has emerged as a particularly devastating threat to the TCN. Between January and March 2025 alone, over 109 transmission towers were vandalized across the country, severely disrupting power supply to various regions. The Port Harcourt region was hardest hit, experiencing 62 tower collapses in just 13 separate incidents. Other regions, including Enugu, Kano, and Abuja, also suffered significant damage. The TCN attributes this surge in vandalism to insufficient deterrents and slow judicial processes, leading to a call for stricter penalties, including life imprisonment, for convicted vandals. The lack of adequate surveillance tools, such as drones and helicopters, further compounds the problem, making it difficult to monitor vast transmission corridors and prevent attacks. While community engagement and collaboration with security agencies have been initiated, these measures are considered inadequate without stronger legal and financial backing.
Paragraph 3: Beyond vandalism, the TCN is struggling with outdated infrastructure. Many substations rely on decades-old transformers and control systems, while transmission lines are overloaded and in dire need of reconductoring. This aging grid infrastructure not only contributes to high transmission losses but also poses a national security risk. Procurement delays and a cumbersome import clearance process exacerbate the situation, with vital equipment often stranded at ports for months due to bureaucratic hurdles surrounding import duty exemption certificates. Financially, the TCN is severely hampered by the failure of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to settle their debts. This crippling debt burden has stalled numerous critical projects, including those nearing completion, leaving significant investments tied up and hindering progress towards grid modernization.
Paragraph 4: The TCN’s financial constraints are further aggravated by the persistence of unfinished legacy projects, some of which were awarded over two decades ago. These projects remain incomplete due to chronic underfunding, adding to the backlog of essential upgrades. The TCN Managing Director, Sule Abdulaziz, stressed the urgent need for prioritized funding to complete these projects, particularly those considered “low-hanging fruit” due to their advanced stage of completion. He argued that these projects offer the quickest path to improving grid capacity and reliability if adequate funding can be secured. He also highlighted the challenges posed by right-of-way acquisition, where disputes over land compensation and resistance from state governments have stalled numerous projects.
Paragraph 5: Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach. The TCN is pursuing strategic upgrades through programs like the Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme and the Central Bank-funded Service Level Agreement projects. However, the success of these initiatives hinges on securing adequate funding and streamlining regulatory processes. Experts, including the Minister of Power and representatives from the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), have underscored the need for stricter legislation to protect power infrastructure from vandalism and power theft. They have also called for increased budgetary allocations for the TCN and a coordinated policy framework to facilitate seamless right-of-way access for new transmission projects.
Paragraph 6: The overarching message is clear: Nigeria’s quest for energy stability and economic growth is inextricably linked to the health of its transmission infrastructure. The TCN’s struggles highlight the urgent need for decisive action to secure, modernize, and adequately fund the national grid. Without significant investment and comprehensive reforms, the grid risks collapse, jeopardizing Nigeria’s hopes for industrialization, economic expansion, and a brighter energy future. The government, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders must recognize the grid as a critical national security asset and prioritize its protection and transformation if Nigeria is to realize its full potential.
