By Ayomide Otitoju
The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has announced a new phase of infrastructure development and investment mobilisation as the Federal Government shifts from immediate power-sector stabilisation to building a more resilient electricity system.
Tegbe disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at a media parley marking his first 100 days in office.
He said the Ministry’s initial efforts focused on stabilising the existing system, restoring stranded generation capacity and strengthening the commercial and governance structures needed to attract sustainable investment.
According to him, the next phase will focus on deeper grid stabilisation, development of a Transmission Super Grid, improved utilisation of existing assets and preparation for rising electricity demand.
Nigeria-China partnership
Tegbe said Nigeria’s recent power mission to China secured commitments from Sinomach, CMEC, CNEEC and Chinese financiers to accelerate priority projects under defined delivery schedules.
He said the engagements were designed to move beyond financing discussions to partnerships involving capital, technology and project delivery.
CMEC, he said, reaffirmed its role in the 1.9GW Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), with the first transmission lines scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2027.
CNEEC has also advanced financing arrangements for the $116 million Zungeru electricity evacuation project, with approval targeted before the end of the year.
TBEA, he added, committed to a proposed $500 million power-equipment manufacturing industrial park, alongside accelerated PPI implementation and a three-year delivery pathway for the East-West Super Grid.
HengFei Cables also committed to supplying cables for PPI Phase Two and proposed establishing a cable assembly plant and training centre in Nigeria.
Tegbe said the initiatives would link power infrastructure development with local manufacturing and technical capacity.
Super Grid development
The Minister said the Ministry had commenced technical audits along the Lagos and Abuja transmission corridors to identify weaknesses and direct investments towards interventions with measurable impact.
He identified the Lagos, Enugu-Port Harcourt and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridors as key components of the grid-stabilisation programme.
He said work would also commence on developing the Transmission Super Grid while corridor stabilisation continues under the PPI and other related programmes.
Grid digitalisation
Tegbe disclosed that the Federal Government had signed a cooperation agreement with Huawei Technologies to support grid digitalisation, loss reduction, SCADA gap assessment and technical training.
He said improved digital visibility and system control were critical to strengthening the management and performance of the national electricity network.
Mambila, renewable energy
The Minister also welcomed Nigeria’s victory in the arbitration over the Mambila Hydropower Project, saying the Ministry had engaged Energy China and directed the contractor to explore the most practical approach to delivering the project, including possible phased implementation.
He said large hydropower projects, including Mambila, as well as small hydropower schemes serving agricultural corridors, would form part of Nigeria’s medium- and long-term electricity strategy.
Tegbe also highlighted the launch of the Renewable Asset Management Company (RAMCO), established to finance renewable-energy assets and infrastructure.
RAMCO is expected to engage competent operators for metering, billing, collection and maintenance, while targeting the mobilisation of ₦3 trillion over the coming years to support investment and improve the viability of public renewable-energy assets.
From stabilisation to expansion
Tegbe said the Ministry’s first 100 days were focused on laying the foundation for future expansion.
“Stabilisation is the essential first stage of expansion,” he said.
He added that the Ministry would continue working with development partners, including the World Bank, African Finance Corporation, African Development Bank, Sustainable Energy for All and UK PACT, on financing, technical assistance, hydropower and electrification.
Over the next six months, Tegbe said the Ministry would focus on translating ongoing repairs, investments and reforms into visible improvements for electricity consumers.
“Our original commitment to visible, incremental improvements remains the benchmark,” he said.
Tegbe reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strategic grid reform, improved electricity supply and regular communication with Nigerians as the power sector enters its next phase of development.
