By Ayomide Otitoju
The Federal Government has commenced five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts in Oyo State, while ruling out an electricity tariff increase.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, announced this during the groundbreaking ceremony for the projects, which will serve communities across Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu local government areas.
The projects comprise the Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-Elega interconnected mini-grids, supported by a 17.74-megawatt battery energy storage system.
According to Tegbe, the projects are expected to improve electricity supply to households and businesses, reduce reliance on generators, extend operating hours and support investment and job creation.
He said the initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand electricity access nationwide, noting that similar interventions supported by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) had been implemented in communities across Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa and Kaduna states.
The minister acknowledged the contributions of the REA, project developer Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the World Bank and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company. He also commended the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders and host communities for their cooperation.
Addressing reports of a possible electricity tariff increase, Tegbe said the Federal Government had no plan to raise tariffs and urged Nigerians to disregard reports suggesting otherwise.
He said the government was prioritising efforts to achieve round-the-clock electricity supply, beginning with three proposed energy zones: the Lagos-Ogun corridor, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and the Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
Tegbe added that plans were underway to strengthen the national grid across eastern and western corridors, including key generation and transmission locations such as Funtua, Kainji, Gwagwalada, Gombe, Makurdi, Ajaokuta, Ikot Ekpene, Benin and Egbin.
He said the measures were intended to improve grid stability and reliability beyond the initial energy zones and support the delivery of 24-hour electricity supply nationwide.
The minister formally flagged off the five projects on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, expressing hope that their completion would improve livelihoods and expand economic opportunities in beneficiary communities.
He described the projects as an example of collaboration among government, private-sector operators and development partners to address Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
