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Introduction: In this interview, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, speaks on the transformation of TCN’s operations, advances in Nigeria’s power transmission, the company’s public-private partnership framework, and his outlook of a new Nigeria.

Q: Your leadership has been praised by many in the industry. Can you describe your collaborative management style and its impact on TCN's operations?

A: My leadership philosophy at TCN is built on collaboration, transparency, and empowerment. By bringing people together and sharing a clear vision, we have achieved remarkable results. Internally, our culture of teamwork and technical excellence has driven our successes, most notably in the installation and energisation of nearly 75 transformers across the country in 2024. This was made possible by a renewed sense of ownership and motivation among our workforce, coupled with our prioritisation of capacity building and ongoing training with global experts.

Externally, we began viewing Distribution Companies (DisCos) not just as counterparts, but as customers and partners in achieving Mr. President’s vision for the power sector. This shift has strengthened collaboration and significantly improved overall efficiency. Additionally, our inclusive approach has attracted the confidence of key donor agencies, such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Agence Française de Développement (AFD). These partnerships have enabled us to execute critical, capital-intensive transmission projects nationwide, further reinforcing our network.

Collaboration has transformed TCN into a more agile, capable, and forward-looking organisation. It's not just about top-down leadership; it's about creating an environment where everyone feels part of something bigger. That's the impact we're proud of.

Q: What are the strategies that TCN is using to boost transmission capacity and meet growing energy demands?

A: To meet Nigeria’s increasing electricity demand and strengthen the national transmission backbone, we have adopted a multi-faceted strategy centered on infrastructure upgrades, starting with low-hanging fruits such as the completion of ongoing substation projects, strategic partnerships, digital transformation, and targeted reforms. Through our continued support for the Nigerian Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), our engineers are actively involved in the design, procurement, and implementation of critical components aimed at enhancing substation performance and replacing outdated equipment. 

Over 50 interface projects with DisCos are currently being executed under the Service Level Agreement (SLA) framework to eliminate bottlenecks at transmission-distribution points, while aged 132kV lines are being reconductored with high-capacity conductors to boost grid reliability. We have also developed a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) for fast-tracking project delivery by resolving land-related disputes. This mechanism is now undergoing digital transformation to streamline operations and improve overall efficiency.

In addition, donor-funded projects are playing a vital role in our transmission capacity expansion drive. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of TCN is overseeing key initiatives funded by the World Bank, AFD, AfDB, and JICA, which have so far added 5,910 MVA of transformer capacity to the grid. The AFD-funded Abuja Feeding Scheme has reached an approximate completion rate of 86.7%, while the World Bank’s Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP) and AfDB’s Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project - Phase 1 (NTEP-1) are progressing steadily, with new transformer installations and ongoing construction at sites such as Zaria and Jaji. Despite challenges such as delays in counterpart funding, right-of-way constraints, and port clearance issues, these programmes continue to deliver tangible results in expanding and modernising Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure.

Q: What are the biggest challenges facing TCN in improving power transmission, and how will you address them?

A: One of our major challenges is vandalism and encroachment along transmission corridors. This is particularly disheartening, as each incident doesn’t just impact TCN – it disrupts entire communities and undermines national development. To tackle this, we have intensified public sensitisation campaigns and are working closely with traditional rulers, local communities, and security agencies to protect these critical national assets. We are also collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), while advocating for stronger legislation and stricter enforcement to deter such destructive acts.

Ageing infrastructure is another significant concern. Many of our transmission lines and substations have been operational for decades, and while they have served Nigeria well, the need for modernisation is urgent. Through donor-funded initiatives like the World Bank’s NETAP and the Presidential Power Initiative with Siemens, we are actively upgrading equipment, replacing obsolete components, and constructing new substations and lines to enhance capacity and reliability.

Funding remains a persistent challenge, especially with limited government allocations. To bridge the gap, TCN is working with international development partners, financial institutions, and exploring public-private partnerships to mobilise the resources required to expand and maintain the grid.

Finally, we recognise the importance of a skilled workforce in sustaining these improvements. As the electricity sector evolves, so must our people. We have, therefore, prioritised ongoing training and capacity building to ensure that our staff are well-equipped to manage and maintain a modern transmission system.

Q: How does TCN plan to integrate more renewable energy sources into the national grid, and what benefits do you foresee?

A: While TCN no longer manages the national grid under the new market structure, our role in expanding and strengthening the transmission network remains central to enabling the integration of renewable energy into Nigeria’s power system. As the backbone of electricity delivery, our mandate focuses on ensuring that the grid infrastructure can accommodate and evacuate power from both conventional and renewable sources.

In recent years, we have been working closely with development partners and private investors to support the evacuation of power from solar farms and other renewable projects, especially in the northern part of the country where solar potential is high. This has included the construction of transmission lines and substations in strategic locations to ensure that power generated from renewable sources is not stranded due to lack of infrastructure.

We also recognise that integrating renewables brings long-term benefits, not just in terms of diversifying our energy mix, but also in promoting energy security, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and supporting Nigeria’s climate commitments.

Q: What initiative is TCN implementing to encourage private sector participation, and how will this impact Nigeria's energy landscape?

A: TCN is actively engaging with the private sector in line with the Electricity Act 2023, which opened up new opportunities for investment in the transmission segment. With no government budgetary allocation in recent years and nearly 200 priority projects identified, TCN is now seeking private capital to complement its internally generated revenue.

At the recent PPP Summit by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), we emphasised our openness to public-private partnerships through clearly defined models such as build-to-transfer or build-to-maintain. Investors are encouraged to assess project-specific viability, as returns must be drawn from the actual line or substation financed and not from unrelated routes.

These efforts are expected to accelerate grid expansion, improve reliability, and ease funding pressure on the government.

Q: What's your vision for TCN's future development in improving electricity supply and achieving operational efficiency?

A: Most electricity transmission companies in the world are now driven by technology. Even though TCN is already tilting towards that, my greatest vision remains to transform the company into a highly efficient, reliable, and technologically advanced entity. With the completion of the unbundling of the company, operations are now streamlined, with the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) focusing on grid stability and real-time management, while we in the Transmission Service Provider (TSP) are focusing on infrastructure expansion and maintenance. Our target is to see to the upgrading of transmission lines and substations to achieve a 10,000MW capacity by 2027. We believe this is achievable through investments in smart grid technologies, reduction in vandalism of our infrastructure, private investment as well as reduction of transmission losses below 5%.

Q: What is your outlook of a new Nigeria?

A: My outlook of a new Nigeria is one of transformation driven by purposeful leadership, strategic implementation, and an unyielding belief that progress is possible, even in the most complex sectors.

At TCN, we have embraced a mission that goes beyond infrastructure – we are helping to power the future of a nation. Through the diligent implementation of the Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion, and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP), we have fast-tracked critical grid improvements nationwide. We have successfully completed several transmission substations, upgraded aged transformers, and reconductored de-rated 132kV lines, all aimed at restoring reliability and enhancing transmission capacity across the network.

Under my leadership, TCN has recorded multiple system generation peaks, including an all-time high of 5,802 MW, which we successfully wheeled to load centres – a testament to the improved efficiency and resilience of our transmission backbone. Today, we have the capacity to wheel 8,100 MW across the 330kV and 132kV networks, connecting generation to distribution with greater confidence and stability.

From 20 July 2022 – 13 September 2023, a period of 421 days, we achieved a major milestone by maintaining grid stability for over one year without a single system collapse. This year, we are building on that success and working diligently to make grid reliability a permanent feature of Nigeria’s power sector. Beyond infrastructure, we have institutionalised proactive maintenance practices, ensured timely equipment procurement, and prioritised technical training to keep the system robust and dependable.

Over the past three years, TCN has witnessed remarkable achievements across all facets of our operations from project initiation and construction to network operations, market administration, and human capital development.

To me, this is the essence of the new Nigeria, a country where institutions fulfill their mandates, where local expertise delivers world-class outcomes, and where public service is guided by vision, accountability, and results. We are proud to be at the heart of this transformation, lighting up communities, energising industries, and enabling growth, one project at a time.