In a bid to bring steady electricity to homes and businesses across the country, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fixing Nigeria’s troubled power sector under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
At the weekend, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, officially commissioned the Kwaru 1X15 MVA 33/11KV Injection Substation in Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos. According to him, this is just one of many steps being taken to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure and power future economic growth.
Adelabu made it clear that this administration sees electricity not just as a service, but as a key engine for job creation and national development. “Energy is the backbone of any economy,” he stressed. “Under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we’re not just talking — we’re acting.”
The newly commissioned substation is expected to bring direct relief to communities like Abaranje, Isijola, Igando Road, Omoboriowo, and Okerube. Residents in these areas can expect more reliable electricity supply going forward, something that has long felt like a distant dream for many.
Beyond just keeping the lights on, the project is expected to boost small and medium-sized businesses, reduce losses caused by erratic power, and open doors for new job opportunities in the area. “When small businesses have power, they can grow, employ more people, and contribute to the economy,” the minister added.
He also pointed out some of the major strides made so far. These include the decentralisation of the power sector via the Electricity Act 2023, which has allowed twelve states to run their own electricity markets for the first time in over two decades. He noted that Nigeria has already attracted over $2 billion in fresh investments and recorded a 70% revenue jump in the sector in 2024 alone.
In terms of actual power generation, Adelabu said Nigeria’s installed generation capacity has increased from 13GW to 14GW. On March 4, 2025, the country hit a new peak with over 5,800 MW generated in one day. This, he said, was made possible in part by the Siemens-led grid stabilisation project, which has added over 700 MW in transmission capacity.
More good news: the FG has also mobilised over N700 billion from FAAC and secured a $500 million World Bank fund to support the Presidential Metering Initiative. These moves will see over 3.45 million new meters distributed, helping to cut down on estimated billing and improve transparency in billing.
But the minister was also honest about the challenges. “We’re still grappling with high distribution losses, low market payments, and lots of customer complaints,” he admitted. However, he assured Nigerians that the ministry is actively working with the DisCos to address these issues.
Adelabu gave a special commendation to Ikeja Electric for completing the new substation within 12 months. “They’ve done well, and we encourage even better performance going forward,” he said.
The Federal Government says it remains fully committed to supporting all projects aimed at making electricity more reliable and affordable for every Nigerian — whether in the heart of Lagos or the far corners of the country.
