Follow Us on Google
From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engineer Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, has said Nigeria’s transmission network currently has the capacity to wheel 8,700 megawatts of electricity, far above the highest power ever generated and delivered to the national grid.
Speaking at a four-day parliamentary and stakeholders’ engagement summit on power sector reforms in Nigeria, Abdulaziz said the transmission network has consistently evacuated all available electricity generated, indicating that the grid is capable of handling higher power supply if generation increases.
According to him, the highest power ever generated and delivered to the national grid was 5,801.84MW, achieved on March 4, 2025.
He said the feat was accompanied by a record daily energy delivery of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh), the highest ever recorded in Nigeria’s electricity industry.
“TCN has consistently wheeled all available generation, demonstrating that the transmission network is ready to support higher levels of electricity delivery,” he stated.
Abdulaziz said the company has significantly strengthened the country’s transmission infrastructure in recent years, expanding bulk power wheeling capacity from about 7,000MW to 8,700MW through strategic investments backed by the Federal Government and international development partners.
He disclosed that between January 2024 and November 2025, TCN commissioned 82 transformers across the country, adding about 8,500 megavolt-amperes (MVA) of transformation capacity.
The company also completed several substation and transmission line projects aimed at improving grid reliability, operational flexibility and network redundancy nationwide.
“Between January 2024 and November 2025, TCN commissioned 82 transformers, adding approximately 8,500MVA of transformation capacity nationwide, while also delivering key substations and transmission line projects that have improved grid reliability, redundancy, and operational flexibility across all geopolitical zones,” he said.
The TCN boss further revealed that the company has secured more than $1.4 billion in financing from the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support transmission expansion and modernisation projects across the country.
As part of efforts to modernise grid operations, Abdulaziz said TCN is implementing a nationwide Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that will provide real-time monitoring of the network, improve fault management and enhance dispatch efficiency.
“In parallel, TCN is advancing grid digitalisation through the implementation of a nationwide Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, which will provide real-time network visibility, faster fault management, improved dispatch efficiency, and the foundation for future smart-grid operations,” he said.
He added that the achievements reflect TCN’s commitment to building a stronger and more reliable transmission network capable of supporting future growth in electricity generation and supply.
Despite the progress, Abdulaziz identified vandalism and sabotage of transmission infrastructure as major threats to the power sector.
According to him, attacks on transmission assets continue to disrupt electricity supply, increase maintenance costs and undermine investments in the industry.
“Protecting electricity infrastructure requires stronger security measures, community co-operation, and stricter legal deterrents,” he said.
The TCN chief also raised concerns over persistent encroachment on transmission rights-of-way, noting that such activities pose safety risks, hinder maintenance work and limit future network expansion.
He called for stronger collaboration among federal, state and local governments, backed by an improved legal framework, to address the challenge.
Abdulaziz further stressed that Nigeria’s power sector requires substantial investment across the electricity value chain to unlock its full potential.
While noting that transmission capacity has increased to 8,700MW, he said greater investments are still needed in power generation, gas supply and distribution infrastructure to ensure more electricity reaches homes and businesses.
“While TCN has expanded transmission capacity to 8,700MW, increased generation dispatch, adequate energy supply to power plants, stronger distribution networks remain essential to delivering more electricity to consumers,” he said.
He also emphasised the need for a financially sustainable electricity market, arguing that cost-reflective tariffs, improved revenue collection, stronger payment discipline and a stable regulatory environment are critical for attracting investment.
“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,” he stated.
Abdulaziz also cited financing constraints, foreign exchange pressures, counterpart funding requirements, land acquisition issues and community-related challenges as factors delaying the implementation of critical transmission projects.
He said streamlined approval processes, fair compensation arrangements and structured stakeholder engagement would help accelerate project delivery.
“These challenges are sector-wide and require co-ordinated action by government, regulators, security agencies, market participants, communities, and development partners,” he added.
