Tegbe Commissions New Transformers in Katsina, Begins Construction of Mashi Substation
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government has commissioned two 60MVA power transformers at Kankia Transmission Substation in Katsina State and commenced construction of a new 120MVA transmission substation in Mashi to improve electricity supply across the state.
The Minister of Power, Engr. Joseph Olasukanmi Tegbe, performed the commissioning and groundbreaking ceremonies during a two-day inspection of power projects in Katsina and Kano states on October 22 and 23, 2026.
In Katsina, the minister commissioned two 60MVA power transformers at the Kankia Transmission Substation, increasing its installed capacity by 150 per cent, while also performing the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 120MVA transmission substation in Mashi.
He also inspected ongoing construction work at the new 200MVA gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) substation at the 330kV Katsina Transmission Substation.
Speaking at the Kankia commissioning ceremony, Tegbe said the installation of the two 60MVA transformers had increased the substation’s installed capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, equivalent to 120MW.
According to him, the projects demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening electricity transmission infrastructure under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
At Mashi, where he performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the new 120MVA transmission substation, the minister explained that the facility would provide an additional 96MW of electricity transmission capacity upon completion.
He said the project would improve electricity supply to Mashi and neighbouring communities, enhance service reliability and provide additional capacity to accommodate future growth in electricity demand.
Tegbe disclosed that issues relating to wayleave and compensation for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) had been resolved, paving the way for construction to commence.
“Today, we break ground in Mashi with a clear purpose, which is to build electricity infrastructure that supports livelihoods and gives this community greater room to grow,” he said.
The minister acknowledged the World Bank’s contribution to funding power infrastructure projects and explained that the Katsina projects were being delivered by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
He said the interventions were designed to strengthen the state’s transmission network and improve bulk electricity supply.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects would address existing capacity constraints and improve the efficiency of electricity transmission in Katsina State.
He explained that the projects included the modernisation of control rooms with digital control and protection panels, expansion of the 33kV busbar and installation of additional outgoing feeders.
Abdulaziz said the new Mashi substation would strengthen bulk electricity delivery to surrounding communities, improve voltage performance and create room for future increases in electricity demand.
He reaffirmed TCN’s commitment to expanding and maintaining the national transmission network to ensure efficient delivery of bulk electricity to distribution companies for onward supply to consumers.
The TCN chief executive added that the company would continue working with the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) and other stakeholders to improve the reliability of the electricity supply chain.
He also urged residents to protect electricity infrastructure, respect transmission right-of-way corridors and report suspicious activities that could threaten public assets.
The Katsina projects form part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to expand transmission capacity, address electricity supply limitations and strengthen power infrastructure across the country.
