The Nigerian government has announced plans to expand Nigeria’s national grid by an additional 4,000 megawatts (MW) by the close of 2026, in collaboration with top-tier Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) firms. This move was revealed by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji.
According to Adelabu, the new strategy—endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—focuses on bringing on board EPC companies with the necessary technical competence and financial strength to fast-track power infrastructure development. An interim target of an extra 2,000mw has also been established for 2024, as set by the Economic Management Team.
Central to these efforts is the revitalisation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), more commonly known as the Siemens Power Project. This bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Germany was launched in August 2018 to reform Nigeria’s energy landscape. Adelabu explained that the current administration has breathed new life into the initiative, accelerating its implementation through a recently signed Acceleration Agreement with Siemens Energy.
“No significant progress was made on the project until the present administration came into office. Since May 29, 2023, we have recorded major milestones that show our commitment to transforming the power sector,” Adelabu said.
Among the milestones achieved is the successful delivery and commissioning of 10 power transformers and 10 mobile substations across the country in October 2023, under the Pilot Phase of the initiative. These installations have laid the groundwork for the broader rollout of the main phase, which officially commenced in 2024.
Simultaneously, the Federal Government Power Company has completed several transmission projects that have collectively expanded the country’s transmission wheeling capacity by more than 700MW. This enhancement has already led to notable improvements in power supply to industrial clusters, educational institutions, commercial enterprises, and residential areas.
Adelabu highlighted that the Tinubu administration has not only reignited long-standing programmes but also introduced a well-defined roadmap complete with detailed timelines for implementation.
“We appreciate past efforts, but this government has brought renewed clarity, vigour, and urgency to power sector transformation,” he said.
