TCN: N1.8trn Spent On National Grid Expansion

The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN,has revealed that more than N1.8 trillion has been secured from multilateral development agencies to expand and strengthen the country’s national electricity grid.
The investment, put at over $1.4 billion, is being deployed through loans and grants to improve transmission capacity and ensure that more electricity gets to Nigerian homes and businesses.
TCN’s Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider, Engr. Dr. Ajiboye Oluwagbenga, disclosed this yesterday at a training workshop for power correspondents in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Oluwagbenga said the funding had enabled TCN to commission 89 transmission transformers and add about 8,700 MVA of transformation capacity to the national grid.
He said major development partners involved in the financing included the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, and Agence Française de Développement, AFD, alongside other stakeholders seeking investment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
Vandalism Eats Into Investment
But while TCN continues to attract billions of naira for grid expansion, the company says vandalism remains a major threat to the gains being recorded.
Oluwagbenga lamented that repeated attacks on transmission towers, lines, substations and projects were not only disrupting electricity supply but also forcing resources that could have been used for new infrastructure to be diverted to repairs and security.
“Persistent attacks continue to threaten towers, lines, substations and projects. While those who attack this infrastructure are Nigerians, it is sad that they prioritise their pocket over the general benefit of Nigerians,” he said.
He disclosed that TCN was collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure that suspected vandals arrested by security agencies were prosecuted.
The TCN executive also credited stronger engagement with host communities for helping to reduce vandalism and expose perpetrators.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report anyone seen carrying out unauthorised activities around transmission infrastructure.
“Our staff don’t work on lines or remove anything from it except if there is an issue. So, anyone seen working on transmission lines should be reported to police or vigilantes close to them,” he said.