Yemi
Olakitan
When
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office in 2023, Nigeria faced a power crisis
decade in the making: chronic generation shortages, dilapidated infrastructure,
and over 90 million citizens living without electricity access. Two years into
his administration, a series of revolutionary policies and strategic
investments have sparked Nigeria’s most significant power sector transformation
in a generation – lighting up homes, industries, and economic hopes nationwide.
The
cornerstone of Tinubu’s power agenda came early with the Electricity Act 2023,
which dismantled the national monopoly that stifled progress for decades. This
landmark legislation: Devolved
regulatory control to states, enabling Lagos, Edo, and Kaduna to establish independent
electricity markets, with others following suit.
It also unlocked
private investment by allowing individuals and companies to generate up to 1MW
and distribute up to 100KW without licenses – accelerating off-grid solutions.
It Mandated renewable
energy integration, requiring generators to source from clean energy or
purchase renewable instruments.
This legal
shift created a competitive landscape where state-level innovation complements
federal oversight by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Generation
Breakthroughs: Record Capacity and Future Targets
Tinubu’s
administration has achieved what seemed impossible – shattering Nigeria’s
40-year generation ceiling. The administration achieved historic 6,003MW
available capacity recorded on March 2, 2025 – a first in Nigeria’s power
history. Peak evacuation of 5,801MW days later, with average daily generation
now at 5,700MW – a 40% surge from the 4,100MW baseline in 2023.
The administration
also has an ambitious roadmap to reach 8,000MW by 2027, backed by reactivated
plants like the 215MW Kaduna thermal plant (87% complete) and new hydro
projects like 1,500MW Makurdi.
Table:
Nigeria’s Power Generation Growth Under Tinubu
Period | Average
Daily Generation | Peak Generation | Growth |
|------------------|------------------------------|---------------------|------------|
| Q3 2023
(Baseline)| 4,100 MW |
~4,500 MW | – |
| Q1
2025 | 5,700 MW | 6,003 MW | +1,600 MW (+40%) |
| 2027
Target | 7,500+ MW | 8,000 MW | +3,900 MW (+95%) |
Renewable
Energy Surge and Rural Electrification
Recognizing
that grid expansion alone won’t reach 90 million unelectrified Nigerians,
Tinubu launched a renewable energy blitz:
Mini-grid
explosions: Over 2.5MW of solar mini-grids deployed in Q1 2025 alone, powering
thousands in Plateau (550KW), Cross River (440KW), Niger (990KW), and Osun
(510KW) .
$750 million
World Bank initiative: To deliver electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians via
distributed renewable systems.
Public
sector solarization: A N100 billion ($65M) investment to equip hospitals,
universities, and government facilities with solar power, slashing $1 billion+
annual generator costs.
Infrastructure
Overhaul: From Grids to Smart Meters
The
administration tackled systemic hardware gaps through: Siemens Power Deal
Acceleration: Tinubu personally renegotiated the stalled German partnership,
fast-tracking transmission upgrades under the Presidential Power Initiative.
Phase 1 now deploys transformers and substations nationwide.
Metering
Revolution: MOJEC International and partners have deployed 1.2 million meters
since 2023 under the National Mass Metering Programme, reducing distribution
losses.
Transmission
Expansion: Niger Delta Power Holding Company installed 14 new transmission lines,
while Zungeru Hydro now evacuates 550MW of its 700MW capacity.
International
Partnerships and Investment Mobilization
Tinubu’s
global energy diplomacy has secured unprecedented financing: Dar es Salaam
Declaration: Nigeria joined 11 African nations in committing to universal
electricity access by 2030, attracting $1.1 billion AfDB loans (for 5 million
people) and $750 million World Bank funding (for 16.2 million via mini-grids.)
$6 billion+
in 2024 investments: Leveraged through policy reforms like Executive Orders
40-42 that incentivized Shell’s $5 billion Bonga North project and
TotalEnergies’ $550 million Ubeta gas field development.
National
Integrated Electricity Policy: Ratified in May 2025, this roadmap targets $122
billion in investments by 2045 to diversify energy into solar, wind, hydrogen,
and nuclear. Policy Synergy: "Nigeria First" and Industrial Growth
The Nigeria
First Policy has been pivotal, prioritizing local content to transform the
power value chain: MOJEC’s 3 million+ smart meters rolled out nationwide,
showcasing indigenous manufacturing capacity. Job creation through mini-grid
production hubs and technical training programs.
Flare-gas
reduction initiatives that convert waste to power, aligning energy access with
climate goals .
Challenges
and the Road Ahead
Despite
progress, hurdles persist:
One of such
hurdles are Grid limitations constrain evacuation capacities despite generation
gains.
Metering gap
of 7.32 million unmetered customers fuels revenue losses. Tariff imbalances and
gas supply issues require continued reform.
Tinubu’s
Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu remains confident. According to him, “If we
sustain this trajectory, 8,000MW is achievable by 2027. We’ve added 1,700MW in
18 months – proof that focused leadership can break Nigeria’s power curse.”
Tinubu’s
power sector reforms represent Africa’s most comprehensive energy transition
blueprint. By blending legal innovation, renewable prioritization, and global
partnership, Nigeria is finally translating its immense energy potential into
measurable progress. As new mini-grids hum in rural communities and factories
ramp up production on stable power, the foundation for a truly electrified
Nigeria has been laid – one switch at a time.
For further
details on Nigeria’s energy reforms, visit the Rural Electrification Agency or
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission portals.
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