The Federal Government has set an ambitious plan to raise the country’s power supply to 8,000 megawatts within 12 to 18 months, despite the current challenges plaguing electricity generation and distribution. This comes as a major Lagos hospital reportedly spends N20 million monthly to power its facility for only three hours of electricity daily.
The new power supply target was announced during a leadership retreat in Abuja, where top executives of the newly formed Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) were officially onboarded. Speaking at the event, Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayodeji Gbeleyi, revealed that although Nigeria has an installed generation capacity exceeding 14,000MW, only around 5,500MW is being supplied daily due to inefficiencies in transmission and distribution.
Gbeleyi expressed confidence that the gap between available capacity and actual supply could be bridged through improved grid management and major infrastructure investment. He noted that the government had already secured a $500 million World Bank loan to strengthen the power distribution network, part of which will provide 3.2 million electricity meters. An additional 2 to 3 million meters are expected from a separate presidential initiative aimed at addressing metering shortages.
The newly independent NISO, which was recently separated from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), will take full charge of operating the national grid. Its board chairman, Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, described the agency as not just a new institution but a fresh concept built around real-time grid control, system planning, and market coordination—functions he described as vital to national development.
Engr. Abdu Bello, NISO’s Managing Director, echoed the urgency of achieving the 8,000MW supply goal, stressing that private sector investment and strategic planning are essential. He described the retreat as a key step in building a strong, focused leadership team that can drive change.
Tajudeen Ahmed of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) pledged the full backing of shareholders, assuring stakeholders that NISO would be equipped to fulfill its new role.
As the country eyes a brighter power future, the case of the Lagos hospital—paying heavily for minimal electricity—underscores the pressing need for reforms and faster implementation of energy solutions. The leadership retreat signaled the government’s commitment to greater accountability, innovation, and results in the energy sector.
