Blackout Crisis: Nigerians May See Improved Electricity Supply In 2–3 Years As FG Plans New Grids

The Federal Government has approved plans to develop new eastern and western electricity grids as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s frequent national grid collapses and improve power supply across the country.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this during an energy conference in Lagos, stating that the government was preparing to commence procurement for the projects.

Tegbe said Nigerians could begin to experience the benefits of the planned expansion within the next two to three years, noting that strengthening the transmission network was essential to achieving a more reliable electricity supply.

The minister explained that the government had divided the country into three energy zones to identify areas requiring urgent intervention and ensure that available resources were directed towards the most critical challenges.

He highlighted the Lagos and Abuja transmission corridors as priority areas, arguing that improvements in those locations could significantly address the country’s electricity challenges.

Tegbe added that a technical audit of the national transmission infrastructure was underway to identify specific problems affecting different locations. He said the assessment would help the government determine whether the issues involved transformers, conductors, relays, insulators or transmission towers before deciding on the appropriate interventions.

According to the minister, the audit was expected to be completed within a few weeks, after which the government would focus on areas identified as priorities.

Tegbe also acknowledged the longstanding challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector, noting that some transmission infrastructure had been in use for decades.

He said inspections had revealed transmission towers and lines dating back to the era of the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN), which existed before the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).

The minister maintained that the age and condition of some of the country’s electricity infrastructure underscored the need for extensive upgrades rather than isolated repairs.

The proposed eastern and western grids form part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen electricity transmission, reduce the risk of nationwide grid failures and improve the reliability of power supply. However, the projects’ impact will depend on their implementation and the successful completion of the planned infrastructure upgrades.