The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a significant milestone in the nation’s power sector, revealing that power generation has reached 5,713.60 megawatts (MW), the highest recorded in the last four years.
This was achieved on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, marking a notable improvement in Nigeria’s electricity generation and transmission capacity.
A New Peak in Power Generation
In a statement released on Tuesday, the TCN confirmed that the power sector had attained a new peak generation for the year 2025, successfully transmitted through the national grid.
The latest figure of 5,713.60 MW surpassed the 5,543.20 MW recorded on February 14, 2025, by 170.40 MW, signaling progress in power generation efforts.
However, the TCN noted that despite the achievement, this new peak remains 88 MW lower than the all-time maximum peak generation of 5,801.60 MW recorded on March 1, 2021.
Nonetheless, this increase in power generation has been seen as a positive development in a sector plagued by frequent grid collapses, poor infrastructure, and persistent electricity shortages.
Increase in Daily Energy Supply
Alongside the rise in power generation, the statement also highlighted an increase in the maximum daily energy supplied. According to the TCN, a record daily energy supply of 125,542.06 megawatt-hours (MWh) was reached, exceeding the previous record of 125,159.48 MWh achieved on February 14, 2025, by 382.58 MWh.
This improvement suggests a gradual enhancement in electricity distribution, which could provide some relief to consumers.
Government’s Efforts to Improve Power Supply
The Nigerian government has repeatedly pledged to improve electricity generation and distribution in the country. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had promised that power generation would rise to 6,000 MW by December 2024. However, that target was not met due to challenges such as vandalism, grid failures, and inadequate power infrastructure.
Despite these setbacks, the recent increase in power generation suggests that efforts to improve the sector are beginning to yield results.
The TCN has continued to work with power generation companies (GenCos) and distribution companies (DisCos) to enhance the transmission and distribution of electricity across the country.
Challenges in the Power Sector
Despite this progress, the Nigerian power sector continues to face numerous challenges, which include:
- Aging Infrastructure – Much of Nigeria’s power transmission and distribution infrastructure is outdated and in need of urgent upgrades.
- Frequent Grid Collapses – The national grid has suffered multiple collapses in recent years, disrupting power supply to millions of Nigerians.
- Vandalism and Theft – Acts of vandalism on power facilities and theft of electrical equipment have severely impacted power distribution.
- Gas Supply Issues – Many of Nigeria’s power plants rely on gas, but inadequate gas supply and pipeline vandalism often lead to power shortages.
- Limited Access to Electricity – Despite improvements, over 50% of Nigerians still lack reliable access to electricity.
Implications for Consumers and Businesses
The recent increase in power generation is a welcome development, but it does not necessarily translate to a stable power supply for consumers.
Many Nigerians continue to experience erratic electricity distribution due to weaknesses in the transmission and distribution networks.
Businesses, particularly in manufacturing and services, rely on electricity to operate efficiently, and inadequate supply forces many to use expensive alternatives such as diesel generators, increasing their operating costs.
If sustained and improved upon, the increase in power generation could lead to better economic productivity, reduced costs for businesses, and improved quality of life for citizens.
However, electricity distribution companies must ensure that the additional power generated reaches consumers effectively.
Future Prospects and Recommendations
While the government and stakeholders in the power sector have made strides in improving electricity generation, more work needs to be done to sustain and expand the progress. Some key recommendations include:
- Infrastructure Upgrade – Investments in modernizing the transmission and distribution network are crucial to improving reliability.
- Diversification of Energy Sources – Exploring renewable energy options such as solar, wind, and hydro could reduce reliance on gas-powered plants.
- Increased Private Sector Involvement – Encouraging private sector investments in power generation and distribution could enhance efficiency.
- Better Regulation and Enforcement – Strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance with power generation and distribution standards.
- Security of Power Installations – Addressing vandalism and theft of power infrastructure through stricter security measures and enforcement.
The rise in Nigeria’s power generation to 5,713.60 MW marks a step in the right direction for the country’s energy sector.
While this achievement is commendable, more work is needed to ensure stable and reliable electricity supply for all Nigerians.
Addressing infrastructure challenges, enhancing grid stability, and improving distribution networks will be crucial in making the recent gains sustainable.
The government and key stakeholders must continue to work towards long-term solutions that will not only increase power generation but also ensure that electricity reaches homes, businesses, and industries effectively.
If these efforts are sustained, Nigeria’s power sector could witness a much-needed transformation, fostering economic growth and improving the standard of living for millions of citizens.
