The Federal Government has approved a $2bn investment in a new East-West Super Grid project aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electricity transmission network and adding at least 19,000 megawatts of capacity.
The Minister of Power, Olasunkanmi Tegbe, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
The proposed infrastructure will pass through Funtua, Gwagwalada, Ikot-Ekpene, Benin, Epe and Ilorin, with completion targeted within 18 to 24 months. Tegbe said procurement activities had begun following the President’s approval.
He explained that the East-West Super Grid would add 19,000 megawatts of transmission capacity and complement, rather than replace, the existing national grid. The project is expected to strengthen electricity transmission and improve power supply across the country.
Tegbe said the project was part of broader efforts to identify and tackle infrastructure gaps within Nigeria’s electricity transmission network.
He disclosed that a technical audit conducted shortly after he assumed office uncovered weaknesses in transmission towers, insulators, conductors and relays across several transmission corridors.
The audit findings are expected to guide the replacement of critical equipment and ensure that government investments target identified infrastructure gaps. Tegbe said the replacement programme would commence in the coming months following presidential approval of funding.
He also identified the Oshogbo–Ikeja West transmission line as a priority for restoration.
“When restored, the line is expected to provide an additional 400 megawatts into the Lagos electricity complex,” he said.
Beyond investments in transmission infrastructure, Tegbe said the Federal Government was also taking steps to resolve financial challenges facing electricity generation companies.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had paid N1.23tn of the approximately N3.3tn owed to electricity generation companies, leaving an outstanding balance of about N2tn.
According to the minister, the unpaid debts had affected the companies’ ability to meet their financial obligations to gas suppliers. He said the government was targeting 2027 to clear the remaining balance, improve liquidity in the power sector and support electricity generation.
Tegbe also identified underutilised power plants in the Niger Delta as an opportunity to boost electricity supply.
He said facilities operated by the Niger Delta Power Holding Companyhave a combined installed capacity of more than 3,000MW but currently contribute only about 400MW to the national grid.
