Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has expressed confidence that Nigeria will attain a 24-hour stable power supply within five years. Abdulaziz made this assertion during an interview with Channels TV in Abuja, addressing the challenges of generating between 20,000 and 25,000 megawatts (MW) of power needed for consistent electricity.
Responding to the question of when Nigeria can achieve 24-hour electricity, Abdulaziz stated, “We will achieve this goal in less than five years. The new Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is addressing the core issues rather than surface-level solutions. His approach is driving tangible progress in the sector, and so I’m confident we will succeed.”
He also highlighted that many Nigerians are already experiencing improvements in power supply, acknowledging that the sector has made strides under Minister Adelabu’s leadership. “Since Adelabu took over, there has been significant improvement in power generation, and this trend will continue,” Abdulaziz emphasized.
Furthermore, Abdulaziz pointed out that electricity prices in Nigeria remain relatively affordable compared to other African nations like Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. While Nigerians may feel the pinch of rising electricity costs, he explained that these increases are still lower than what citizens in other countries pay.
Nigeria’s power sector continues to face challenges, including a national grid that currently generates only about 4,500MW for a population of over 200 million. In contrast, South Africa, with a population of around 59 million, generates approximately 50,000MW. However, Abdulaziz remains optimistic, projecting that significant progress will be made over the next few years to ensure 24-hour electricity in Nigeria.
