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| Nigeria’s power grid: fragile but evolving fast |
Nigeria’s power sector saw major fixes yesterday. The Federal Executive Council approved a new roadmap. This plan aims to boost generation, transmission, and distribution over five years.
The National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP) now guides all moves. It was ready in December 2024 and got final sign-off at last week’s FEC meeting . The policy sets clear rules on who does what. It splits roles between federal bodies, states, and private firms .
Under the NIEP, Nigeria will use least-cost planning. The policy calls for an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) by year end. This IRP will match power supply to demand across regions .
Hourly generation rose to 4,681 MW in January 2025. That is a 3 % gain over December 2024 . Yet this is still below the 6,000 MW target. Installed capacity sits at 13,625 MW, but only 39 % runs reliably .
Experts say vandalism and aging gear cause grid collapses. The World Bank pegs annual losses from outages at $29 billion .
The 2025 budget set aside a big fund for power. FG will leverage N1.1 bn in private co-finance for key projects . TCN’s project units will add 4,000 MW of transmission capacity using World Bank, AfDB, AFD, and JICA loans .
A Power Sector Debt Reduction Initiative targets N2 trillion owed to GenCos. The aim is to clear debts by year-end .
Roadmap Highlights
Generation: Boost output from thermal and hydro plants. Egbin will aim for 800 MW. Kainji and Jebba hydro get upgrades .
Transmission: Build 330 kV grid loops into FCT, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. Fast-track digital control centers with SCADA/EMS .
Distribution: Encourage mini-grids and independent distributors. Eleven states now regulate local markets .
Renewables: Roll out 1,000 solar mini-grids in rural areas. Partner with WAPP for cross-border power trade .
Some say the plan is ambitious but doable. Others warn of past delays and fund diversions. A Lagos consumer group calls for strong oversight. They want clear timelines and public updates.
Energy lawyer Ayodele Oni calls the policy “a solid start.” He urges quick pass-through of state regulators. WATT Renewable’s Sherisse Alexander wants more solar storage hubs.
Implementing agencies must publish quarterly progress. Civil society groups will track budget use. FEC will review the roadmap every six months.
Nigeria’s power woes won’t end overnight. But with clear plans and funds in place, steady gains are possible. Patience, paired with firm action, can bring light to every home.