The Federal Government of Nigeria has commissioned two upgraded transmission substations in Lagos, adding 208 megawatts (MW) of bulk transmission capacity to one of the country's most economically important corridors.
The projects, commissioned on Monday, are part of the administration’s efforts to address longstanding structural challenges in the power sector and strengthen the country’s electricity transmission network.
At the Ijora substation, two new 100MVA transformers increased the facility’s capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA, representing an additional 112MW. At Apapa Road, a new Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) added 96MW, replacing an outdoor transformer that had served as a stopgap since the original facility, commissioned in 1985, was decommissioned.
Speaking at the commissioning, Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the upgrades were part of the administration’s response to years of transmission constraints and infrastructure decay.
He described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as demonstrating “fearless commitment to addressing the structural constraints that have held our economy back,” linking the investment to the administration’s stated ambition of building a one trillion-dollar economy.
Tegbe commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for supporting the projects, adding that the Ministry would continue to reinforce transmission infrastructure nationwide to bridge the gap between available generation and the capacity to deliver electricity to consumers.
According to officials, transmission constraints have repeatedly resulted in available electricity being stranded because the national grid lacked sufficient capacity to evacuate it.
In his welcome address at the Apapa transmission facility, the Managing Director/CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the installation and energisation of two new 60MVA transformers and modern Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) had tripled the substation’s capacity from 60MVA to 180MVA.
He added that the Ijora facility now has a capacity of 230MVA, with the upgrades expected to increase the bulk power available to Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) for onward distribution to Apapa Causeway, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Apapa Wharf, Tin Can Island and other critical commercial areas.
Abdulaziz described the projects, sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and World Bank respectively, in partnership with TCN, as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising Nigeria’s transmission network and stabilising the national grid.
He commended the Ministry of Power, JICA, the Government of Japan, Lagos State Government and other stakeholders for their support, while appealing for similar grant assistance for other critical sections of the transmission network.
The commissioning ceremonies were attended by senior government and industry officials, including Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hideo Suzuki, who was represented by his Deputy; JICA Nigeria’s Chief Representative, Ishigame Keiji; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power; the CEO of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO); Directors and Ministerial Aides from the Federal Ministry of Power; a representative of the Lagos State Government; and representatives of the Eko and Ikeja electricity distribution companies.
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