The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said unlocking Nigeria’s full generation potential requires coordinated investments across the entire power value chain.
The TCN Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Sule Abdulaziz, disclosed this while speaking at the ongoing 4-day parliamentary/stakeholders’ engagement summit on power sector reforms in Lagos.
Mr Abdulaziz called for urgent, collective action to tackle issues threatening a stable power supply, noting that vandalism and sabotage of transmission infrastructure continue to disrupt power supply, increase repair costs, and undermine investments in the sector.
“Protecting electricity infrastructure requires stronger security measures, community cooperation, and stricter legal deterrents.
“Persistent encroachment on transmission Rights-of-Way creates safety risks, hinders maintenance activities, and constrains future network expansion. This calls for coordinated action among federal, state, and local authorities, supported by a stronger legal framework,” he added.
According to him, expanding the grid to support Nigeria’s long-term electricity needs requires substantial capital investment.
Mr Abdulaziz, represented by General Manager Transmission Services, Ali Sharifai, said while TCN has several critical projects ready for implementation, financing constraints, foreign exchange pressures, and counterpart funding requirements continue to affect project timelines.
He said the long-term sustainability of the sector depends on a financially viable electricity market, supported by cost-reflective tariffs, improved revenue collection, stronger payment discipline, and a stable regulatory environment that encourages investment.
“Land acquisition and community engagement challenges continue to affect the timely delivery of transmission projects.
“Streamlined processes, fair compensation mechanisms, and structured stakeholder engagement would significantly accelerate infrastructure development.”
These challenges, he said, are sector-wide and require coordinated action by government, regulators, security agencies, market participants, communities, and development partners.
Call to action
The TCN, however, called for stronger legal protection of critical electricity infrastructure.
“A nationally consistent Right-of-Way protection framework; adequate and timely funding for priority transmission projects; full implementation of the Electricity Act 2023; continued efforts to strengthen the financial sustainability of the electricity market; and coordinated investment across generation, gas supply, transmission, and distribution.”
Speaking further, he said reliable electricity requires a sector-wide approach.
“While TCN has developed and is implementing short, medium, and long-term transmission expansion plans, achieving Nigeria’s full electricity potential depends on aligned investments, supportive policies, regulatory certainty, and effective collaboration across the entire value chain,” he said.
He said Nigeria’s electricity challenges are well understood, and the solutions are already known.
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“What is required now is sustained political will, coordinated action, and effective implementation of existing plans, laws, and partnerships,” he said.
He said TCN has demonstrated strong delivery capacity with verifiable achievements, including an 8,700MW wheeling capacity, a historic peak transmission of 5,801.84MW, and record daily energy delivery of 128,370.75MWh.
“It has also commissioned 82-transformers in 23 months, adding about 8,500MVA, delivered major transmission upgrades such as the Ihovbor TITO on Benin-Ajaokuta 330kV and Bauchi TITO on Jos-Bauchi 330kV SC-lines, mobilised over $1.4 billion in development financing, and advanced national SCADA deployment.”
TCN affirmed that the transmission grid is ready and continues to expand and modernise.
“With legislative support in terms of funding, policy direction, and oversight, the transmission network can remain the backbone of a reliable and modern electricity system for Nigeria.
“TCN commits to full collaboration with stakeholders and accountability for results, while reaffirming its dedication to delivering a stronger, more resilient grid in service of national development and the needs of all Nigerians,” he said.
