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TCN Defends National Grid Capacity, Says Power Shortages Not Caused by Transmission Network

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Oru Leonard 

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, has stated that Nigeria’s transmission network is fully capable of evacuating and delivering all electricity currently generated in the country, dismissing claims that transmission infrastructure is responsible for persistent power shortages.

Speaking at the four-day Parliamentary and Stakeholders’ Engagement Summit on Power Sector Reforms in Nigeria in Lagos, Abdulaziz said the national grid currently has a wheeling capacity of 8,700 megawatts (MW), significantly higher than the highest electricity generation ever recorded on the grid.

According to him, Nigeria’s installed generation capacity stands at 13,625MW, but the maximum power generated and delivered to the grid remains 5,801.84MW, achieved on March 4, 2025.
He maintained that the transmission network has consistently transported every megawatt supplied to it, stressing that available industry data contradict claims that transmission remains the major bottleneck in the electricity value chain.
“The transmission network has consistently wheeled every megawatt made available to it. Our grid has the capacity and our operators have the competence. The transmission network of Nigeria is ready,” Abdulaziz said.

The TCN boss attributed the expansion of the grid’s wheeling capacity from about 7,000MW to 8,700MW to sustained investments and infrastructure upgrades undertaken with support from the Federal Government and international development partners.

He noted that the same day Nigeria achieved its record peak generation of 5,801.84MW, the grid also recorded its highest-ever daily energy delivery of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh).

Highlighting recent achievements, Abdulaziz disclosed that TCN commissioned 82 power transformers across the country between January 2024 and November 2025, adding about 8,500 megavolt-amperes (MVA) to the nation’s transmission capacity.

The upgraded and newly commissioned facilities include substations in Ajah, Egbin, Enugu New Haven, Onitsha, Gombe, Kano Kumbotso, Apo, Jos, Benin and Bauchi.

He also listed major transmission projects completed during the period, including the reconductoring of the Delta-Effurun 132kV transmission line, strengthening works on the Benin-Ajaokuta 330kV line, and the commissioning of the Ihovbor/Benin-Ajaokuta 330kV Turn-In Turn-Out (TITO) lines in April 2026.

According to him, the Ihovbor TITO project has enhanced power evacuation, operational flexibility and grid reliability within one of Nigeria’s most critical electricity generation corridors.

Abdulaziz further revealed that TCN has secured more than $1.4 billion in development financing from international partners, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency and Agence Française de Développement, to support transmission expansion projects nationwide.

He said the company is also progressing with the deployment of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system designed to improve real-time grid monitoring, fault detection and power flow management.

Despite the progress recorded, Abdulaziz identified challenges such as vandalism of transmission assets, right-of-way encroachments, funding limitations, foreign exchange volatility, land acquisition issues and weak coordination across segments of the power value chain.

He urged the National Assembly to strengthen legal protections for critical electricity infrastructure, establish a uniform right-of-way framework and support adequate funding for transmission projects, while ensuring effective implementation of the Electricity Act 2023.

The TCN chief also called for coordinated investments across power generation, gas supply, transmission and distribution to unlock the sector’s full potential.

He described reliable electricity supply as a long-term national undertaking requiring sustained investment, policy consistency and effective governance, while reaffirming TCN’s commitment to building a more resilient and efficient national grid to support economic growth and industrialisation.

Abdulaziz expressed optimism that deliberations at the summit would generate practical recommendations capable of strengthening the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and accelerating progress toward stable electricity supply across the country.

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TCN Rallies Ogun Communities Against Power Infrastructure Vandalism The Transmission Company of Nigeria, Lagos Region, has intensified its campaign against vandalism of electricity infrastructure with a public sensitisation programme held in Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State. The awareness initiative, organised on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, brought together traditional rulers, security agencies, community leaders and residents to educate the public on the dangers of vandalising transmission installations, erecting structures under transmission line Right of Way (RoW), and excavating around transmission towers. Speaking during the programme, the General Manager (Transmission), Lagos Region, Engr. Adeshina Adeonipekun, revealed that the company recorded no fewer than 276 cases of tower vandalism between 2022 and 2025. According to him, improved collaboration with host communities and proactive measures by TCN personnel have significantly reduced incidents of vandalism this year. “This year, with the support of communities and the proactiveness of our staff, we have been able to reduce vandalism cases to about 40,” Adeonipekun stated. He explained that TCN has continued to adopt multiple strategies to protect critical transmission assets, noting that community engagement and public sensitisation remain central to the company’s efforts. The TCN official also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser and security agencies for supporting efforts to apprehend vandals involved in attacks on transmission infrastructure. Also speaking, Principal Manager (Lines), Engr. Kuye Emmanuel, disclosed that TCN has strengthened surveillance around transmission corridors through community-based security arrangements. “Apart from this awareness programme, we engage private vigilantes across communities and zones, who are paid monthly to help safeguard our transmission lines,” he said. He further explained that the company provides incentives to farmers and residents in host communities to encourage cooperation and prompt reporting of suspicious activities around transmission facilities. In his remarks, the Olu of Itori Land, Oba Abdulfatai Akorede Akamo, commended TCN for sustaining the sensitisation initiative and appealed for more regular engagement with host communities. “This awareness programme is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The last edition was held here in Itori about four years ago, and we appreciate TCN for returning to engage our people again. We appeal that it should be organised at least once every year,” the monarch said. Oba Akamo added that Baales across the 127 communities under his domain have continued to monitor activities around transmission infrastructure to prevent acts of vandalism. The District Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Itori Command, Mrs. Olusola Balogun, warned residents against participating in or supporting vandalism, stressing that offenders risk imprisonment upon conviction. “Vandalism is a criminal offence which can lead to imprisonment if offenders are found guilty by a court of law. Some people aid and contribute to vandalism knowingly or unknowingly, and this must stop,” she warned. Balogun noted that vandalism of power infrastructure could trigger widespread power outages, weaken economic activities and create security concerns. Similarly, the Divisional Police Officer of Itori Police Station, CSP Dapo Ojekunle, urged residents to support security agencies with credible information on suspected vandals operating within their communities. “Most of these vandals are very clever. If we see anyone vandalising the infrastructure, residents should report them immediately,” he said. He also advised residents not to harbour vandals or conceal stolen materials, while encouraging complainants and witnesses to follow reported cases through the legal process to ensure successful prosecution. The statement was signed by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN.

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