By Jennete Ugo Anya
Nigeria’s electricity transmission network reached a historic milestone in 2025, as a combination of international financing, structural reforms, and accelerated infrastructure delivery pushed national wheeling capacity to an unprecedented 8,700 megawatts.
The progress, underpinned by $1.16 billion in support from international partners, marks one of the most significant advances in the country’s power sector in decades, even as authorities remain alert to persistent security challenges.
The achievements were outlined by Mr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), during a weekend address themed Reflecting on a Year of Progress and Powering Our Future Together. He described 2025 as a defining year in which long planned reforms began translating into measurable gains across the national grid.
Central to this progress was the operational separation of system management functions from core transmission infrastructure. The unbundling of TCN and the commencement of operations by the Nigerian Independent System Operator allowed each institution to focus on its core mandate. While NISO now oversees system operations, market administration, and regulatory compliance, TCN has concentrated fully on expanding and modernising transmission infrastructure.
According to Mr. Abdulaziz, this clearer division of responsibilities removed long standing administrative bottlenecks and enabled faster execution of grid projects nationwide. From January 2024 to November 2025, TCN installed 82 new power transformers, injecting more than 8,500 megavolt amperes into the transmission network. The upgrades significantly strengthened the grid’s ability to carry higher volumes of electricity from generation points to distribution companies.
These investments translated into record operational performance. On March 4, 2025, the grid transmitted a peak load of 5,801.84 megawatts, while daily energy sent out hit an all time high of 128,370.75 megawatt hours. Industry analysts view these benchmarks as clear evidence of a more resilient and responsive transmission system, capable of supporting Nigeria’s growing electricity demand.
International partnerships played a critical role in this transformation. The $1.16 billion in funding supported multiple transmission expansion and reinforcement projects, including the Abuja Feeding Scheme. The project delivered five new substations alongside a 330 kilovolt transmission line, significantly improving power supply reliability in the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding areas.
“These partnerships are modernising our grid and positioning Nigeria’s electricity sector to support sustained economic growth,” Mr. Abdulaziz said, noting that the scale and consistency of donor support reflected renewed global confidence in the country’s reform trajectory.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Vandalism and sabotage continued to threaten transmission assets, with 131 recorded incidents between January and November 2025. In response, TCN intensified collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigeria Police, and community based vigilante groups to strengthen patrols, improve intelligence gathering, and deepen local engagement around critical infrastructure.
Mr. Abdulaziz emphasised that community ownership and security collaboration had become essential pillars of grid protection, particularly as new transmission lines extend into remote areas. He also commended the commitment of TCN staff and the cooperation of organised labour, including the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies and the National Union of Electricity Employees, for maintaining industrial harmony during a period of intense operational change.
Looking ahead to 2026, the TCN chief outlined priorities that include faster project delivery timelines, deeper deployment of digital monitoring technologies, and closer operational coordination with NISO to enhance grid stability and market efficiency. He said the objective is not only to move more power, but to do so reliably, transparently, and sustainably.
Mr. Abdulaziz expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Honourable Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, international development partners, and security agencies for their support. He also paid tribute to TCN staff members who lost their lives in the line of duty, describing their sacrifice as a reminder of the human effort behind national infrastructure.
“Our people are our strength,” he said. “Together, we are laying the foundations to power Nigeria’s future.”
