The Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu has set ambitious targets for rapidly increasing electricity generation capacity over the next few decades.
According to Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, the plan is to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity by 2026 and reach 60,000 megawatts by 2060.
Adelabu outlined these short-term and long-term goals during a recent visit to the National Control Centre of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Osun State.
He stated that achieving 20,000 megawatts by 2026 is realistic given the experiences of other countries that have managed to exceed 100,000 megawatts within 40-50 years.
To reach the 2026 target, two more electricity substations will be built over the coming months as part of the federal government’s presidential power plan. Additional investments will be made in expanding generation, transmission and distribution capacity across Nigeria.
The minister warned that any TCN employees found obstructing the government’s efforts to improve the power sector would face consequences.
He also mentioned that a panel has been formed to investigate the recent fire at the TCN substation in Birnin Kebbi.
Adelabu was accompanied on the Osun State visit by ministry officials and top TCN management. It was his first time inspecting the National Control Centre since becoming Minister of Power.