…Tinubu’s government targets 24-hour power supply through three energy corridors
By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
The Federal Government has commenced five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts in Oyo State, as the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, ruled out any planned increase in electricity tariffs.
Tegbe announced this during the groundbreaking ceremony for the projects, which are expected to improve electricity access in communities across Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas of the state.
The projects comprise the Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-Elega interconnected mini-grids, supported by a battery energy storage system with a capacity of 17.74 megawatts.
According to the minister, the initiative is designed to improve electricity supply to households and businesses, reduce dependence on generators, extend business operating hours and create an enabling environment for investment and job creation.
He described the projects as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at expanding electricity access and improving power supply across the country.
Tegbe noted that similar interventions, supported by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), had been implemented in communities across Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa and Kaduna states.
He acknowledged the contributions of the REA, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the project developer, the World Bank, which provided the financing, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
The minister also commended the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders and host communities for their cooperation in facilitating the projects. He particularly acknowledged the support of the Olubadan of Ibadanland towards the realisation of the initiative.
Addressing concerns over reports of a possible electricity tariff increase, Tegbe categorically stated that the Federal Government had no plan to raise electricity tariffs.
He urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as misinformation, stressing that the government’s priority was to improve electricity supply and achieve round-the-clock power across the country.
The minister disclosed that the government was working towards establishing three major energy corridors to drive the delivery of 24-hour electricity supply.
According to him, the proposed corridors are the Lagos-Ogun corridor, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, and the Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
He explained that the initiative would form part of a broader strategy to strengthen electricity generation, transmission and distribution, while improving the reliability of power supply to homes, businesses and industries.
Tegbe further disclosed that the Federal Government planned to strengthen the national grid across the eastern and western corridors, identifying strategic generation and transmission locations, including Funtua, Kainji, Gwagwalada, Gombe, Makurdi, Ajaokuta, Ikot Ekpene, Benin and Egbin.
He said the objective was to extend improved grid stability and reliable electricity supply beyond the initial energy corridors, making 24-hour power supply a reality nationwide.
The minister formally flagged off the five mini-grid projects on behalf of President Tinubu, expressing optimism that their successful completion would improve livelihoods and expand economic opportunities for residents of the beneficiary communities.
He described the investment as an example of collaboration among the Federal Government, private-sector operators and development partners to address Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
The projects are expected to support economic activities across the beneficiary communities by providing improved access to electricity for households, businesses and other productive users.
