Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has revealed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) requires a staggering N2.8 trillion to execute 149 crucial projects aimed at enhancing the country’s electricity transmission network. The Minister made this announcement during his appearances before power sector committees in the National Assembly, where he defended the Ministry of Power’s 2025 budget proposal.
Adelabu emphasized the financial challenges the Ministry faces in addressing Nigeria’s electricity issues. Despite a limited budget, he stressed the urgent need for significant funding to address the nation’s power supply problems.
The Urgent Need for Investment in Power Transmission
The Minister explained that the N2.8 trillion would be used to execute projects aimed at strengthening the country’s power transmission infrastructure. This amount is crucial for the TCN to tackle the existing challenges in power delivery, which have hindered consistent electricity supply to Nigerians.
Adelabu also acknowledged that the Ministry’s budget is not sufficient to cover these enormous needs but underscored the importance of collaboration with the National Assembly to secure the necessary resources. He urged for the support of lawmakers in ensuring that the power sector receives the attention and funding it requires to improve electricity provision nationwide.
Siemens Project to Address Power Infrastructure Issues
In his discussions, Adelabu also highlighted the progress of the Siemens power project under the Presidential Power Initiative, aimed at improving Nigeria’s power supply infrastructure. The Minister confirmed that the pilot stage of the project was 95% complete in 2024, and the second phase is set to commence in 2025. This project, which includes the construction of substations across the country, is designed to address the fragile state of Nigeria’s power infrastructure, largely caused by obsolete and outdated equipment.
The government’s focus is on resolving the issues that have long plagued the sector, such as grid collapses, which are attributed to the outdated equipment at power stations. To tackle these challenges, the Siemens project will involve building five substations, starting in the first quarter of 2025. These substations are expected to energize the national grid and reduce the frequent grid collapses that have disrupted power supply in Nigeria.
Adelabu reassured the public that the government remains committed to addressing the longstanding electricity challenges. He said, “The Federal Government is fully determined to address these challenges and issues that have been blocking our progress in our effort to provide electricity to Nigerians and our consumers.”
Looking Ahead: A Call for Support and Action
The Minister concluded by calling for the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders in the power sector to ensure that the initiatives, including the Siemens project and the TCN’s transmission improvements, come to fruition. He expressed optimism that with the right support, the government’s mandate to improve electricity supply to Nigerians would be achieved.
With these substantial projects underway, Nigeria is taking significant steps towards resolving its electricity challenges, but continued investment and support from both the government and private sector will be key to achieving sustainable power supply for the nation.
