Menu

This is the remark by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, at the four-day Parliamentary/Stakeholders’ Engagement Summit on Power Sector Reforms in Nigeria.

Protocols.

It is a privilege to participate in this Parliamentary/Stakeholder Engagement Summit on Power Sector Reforms in Nigeria. I commend the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee for creating this platform for meaningful engagement on critical issues affecting the future of the nation’s electricity supply industry.

Let me state from the outset that TCN welcomes this engagement wholeheartedly. We are here not merely as invited participants, but as committed partners in Nigeria's energy transition and economic development. We have nothing to conceal and everything to present: a record of genuine progress, hard-earned achievements, and the kind of transparent, evidence-based account that reflects our unwavering commitment to national service.

Nigeria deserves reliable electricity. TCN is determined to deliver it. This summit, if it concludes with concrete, prioritised, and enforceable resolutions, has the power to accelerate that outcome in ways that would benefit every Nigerian household, enterprise, and institution.

TCN's strategic role in the electricity supply industry

The transmission network is the backbone of Nigeria's power system and one of the most critical enablers of national development. It is the network of high-tension transmission lines and substations that connects power generation to distribution load centres, facilitating the movement of bulk electricity across vast distances and ensuring that energy produced in one part of the country can be delivered efficiently and reliably to distribution load centres of electricity distribution companies nationwide.

As the operator and custodian of the nation’s network, TCN occupies a unique and strategic position within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), serving as the central platform that integrates generation and distribution into a single, coordinated system.

The importance of transmission extends beyond the movement of electricity. A resilient transmission system strengthens energy security, improves the efficiency of power delivery, enhances grid stability, supports market growth, facilitates regional power exchanges, and provides the foundation for long-term economic development.

Recognising this responsibility, TCN has remained steadfast in its commitment to building a stronger, more resilient, and enhanced transmission network. Over the years, our focus has been on expanding network capacity, reinforcing critical infrastructure, modernising our operations, improving system reliability, and positioning the transmission network to meet the growing energy demands of a rapidly developing nation.

Despite the numerous challenges confronting the power sector, TCN has continued to record substantial progress in expanding, strengthening, and modernising the national transmission network. Through deliberate planning and strategic investments, we have continued to improve transmission capacity and operational performance.

Setting the record straight: what the data actually shows

Before presenting TCN’s achievements, I wish to address a common misconception: that transmission is the primary constraint in Nigeria’s electricity sector. The facts tell a different story.

According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) February 2026 Operational Factsheet, Nigeria’s installed generation capacity is 13,625MW. However, the highest power ever generated and delivered to the national grid was 5,801.84MW, recorded on 4 March 2025. On the same day, TCN also achieved a record daily energy delivery of 128,370.75MWh. Meanwhile, TCN’s transmission wheeling capacity stands at 8,700MW.

The implication is clear: the national grid can currently transmit significantly more power than has ever been generated and supplied to it. TCN has consistently wheeled all available generation, demonstrating that the transmission network is ready to support higher levels of electricity delivery.

TCN's record of achievement: infrastructure, capacity, and reform

Distinguished stakeholders, TCN's performance is best demonstrated by measurable results.

Over the past few years, TCN has expanded the nation's bulk wheeling capacity from about 7,000MW to 8,700MW, adding 1,700MW of transmission capability through strategic investments supported by the Federal Government and development partners.

On 4 March 2025, the national grid achieved a historic peak transmission record of 5,801.84MW and a record daily energy delivery of 128,370.75 MWh—the highest ever recorded in Nigeria's electricity industry. These milestones underscore the growing strength and reliability of the transmission network.

Between January 2024 and November 2025, TCN commissioned 82 transformers, adding approximately 8,500MVA of transformation capacity nationwide, while also delivering key substations and transmission line projects that have improved grid reliability, redundancy, and operational flexibility across all geopolitical zones.

TCN has also mobilised over US$1.4 billion in development financing from the World Bank, AfDB, JICA, and AFD to support transmission expansion and modernisation projects nationwide.

In parallel, the company is advancing grid digitalisation by implementing a nationwide SCADA system, which will provide real-time network visibility, faster fault management, improved dispatch efficiency, and lay the foundation for future smart-grid operations.

These achievements demonstrate TCN's commitment to strengthening Nigeria's transmission infrastructure, enhancing grid reliability, and positioning the sector to support future growth in electricity generation and delivery.

Sector-wide challenges requiring coordinated national responses

Honourable Chairman and Distinguished Members, while TCN has recorded significant achievements, it is important to transparently acknowledge the key challenges facing the NESI.

First, vandalism and sabotage of transmission infrastructure continue to disrupt power supply, increase repair costs, and undermine investments in the sector. Protecting electricity infrastructure requires stronger security measures, community cooperation, and stricter legal deterrents.

Second, persistent encroachment on transmission Rights-of-Way creates safety risks, hinders maintenance activities, and constrains future network expansion. This calls for coordinated action among federal, state, and local authorities, supported by a stronger legal framework.

Third, expanding the grid to support Nigeria's long-term electricity needs requires substantial capital investment. While TCN has several critical projects ready for implementation, financing constraints, foreign exchange pressures, and counterpart funding requirements continue to affect project timelines.

Fourth, unlocking Nigeria's full generation potential requires coordinated investments across the entire value chain. While TCN has expanded transmission capacity to 8,700MW, increased generation dispatch, adequate energy supply to power plants, and stronger distribution networks remain essential to delivering more electricity to consumers.

Fifth, the long-term sustainability of the sector depends on a financially viable electricity market, supported by cost-reflective tariffs, improved revenue collection, stronger payment discipline, and a stable regulatory environment that encourages investment.

Finally, land acquisition and community engagement challenges continue to affect the timely delivery of transmission projects. Streamlined processes, fair compensation mechanisms, and structured stakeholder engagement would significantly accelerate infrastructure development.

These challenges are sector-wide and require coordinated action by government, regulators, security agencies, market participants, communities, and development partners. TCN remains committed to playing its part in building a stronger, more reliable, and more resilient electricity sector for Nigeria.

Nigeria's reform journey: building on strong foundations

Honourable Chairman and Distinguished Members, Nigeria's electricity sector has undergone extensive reforms over the past two decades, including the unbundling of PHCN, the establishment of NERC, NBET, REA reforms, the Presidential Power Initiative, and, most recently, the Electricity Act 2023, which created the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and provides the framework for a more competitive and modern electricity market.

Throughout these successive reform cycles, TCN has remained a stable and reliable institution, maintaining grid operations, expanding transmission infrastructure, strengthening technical capacity, and sustaining strong relationships with development partners.

TCN fully supports the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 and all government initiatives aimed at improving electricity supply. As a committed partner in sector transformation, TCN brings over US$1.4 billion in active development financing, a workforce of more than 5,000 professionals, and over five decades of operational experience in managing Nigeria's national grid.

Legislative imperatives: our call to action

Distinguished Members of the National Assembly, the challenges facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry are resolvable through coordinated legislative and executive action.

TCN respectfully calls for: stronger legal protection of critical electricity infrastructure; a nationally consistent Right-of-Way protection framework; adequate and timely funding for priority transmission projects; full implementation of the Electricity Act 2023; continued efforts to strengthen the financial sustainability of the electricity market; and coordinated investment across generation, gas supply, transmission, and distribution.

Reliable electricity requires a sector-wide approach. While TCN has developed and is implementing short, medium, and long-term transmission expansion plans, achieving Nigeria's full electricity potential depends on aligned investments, supportive policies, regulatory certainty, and effective collaboration across the entire value chain.

TCN remains fully committed to supporting the vision of the Electricity Act 2023 and working with government, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders to build a stronger, more reliable, and globally competitive power sector capable of driving Nigeria's economic growth and industrial development.

Closing remarks

Rt. Honourable Speaker, Honourable Chairman and Members of the Committee, Distinguished Stakeholders, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me conclude with this:

Nigeria’s electricity challenges are well understood, and the solutions are already known. What is required now is sustained political will, coordinated action, and effective implementation of existing plans, laws, and partnerships.

TCN has demonstrated strong delivery capacity with verifiable achievements, including an 8,700MW wheeling capacity, a historic peak transmission of 5,801.84MW, and record daily energy delivery of 128,370.75MWh. It has also commissioned 82 transformers in 23 months – adding about 8,500MVA – delivered major transmission upgrades such as the Ihovbor TITO on Benin-Ajaokuta 330kV and the Bauchi TITO on Jos-Bauchi 330kV SC-lines, mobilised over US$1.4 billion in development financing, and advanced national SCADA deployment.

TCN affirms that the transmission grid is ready and continues to expand and modernise. With legislative support in terms of funding, policy direction, and oversight, the transmission network can remain the backbone of a reliable and modern electricity system for Nigeria.

TCN commits to full collaboration with stakeholders and accountability for results, while reaffirming its dedication to delivering a stronger, more resilient grid in service of national development and the needs of all Nigerians.

Thank you.