Outdated Equipment Hampering Nigeria’s Power Sector, Says TCN Boss

The Managing Director and CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz, has highlighted severe infrastructure challenges in the country’s power sector, citing outdated equipment as a major cause of frequent grid failures. Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Abdulaziz revealed that much of the infrastructure is between 40 to 50 years old and urgently requires significant investment.

“The transmission system needs a lot of investment, and for so many years, that sector has been neglected. Most of the equipment we use is 50 years or 40 years old. So it is not possible for those infrastructures to work perfectly,” Abdulaziz said.

However, he expressed optimism that the nation could achieve consistent electricity supply within five years. He pointed to ongoing efforts, including the implementation of a backup system that would help prevent nationwide blackouts in the event of grid failures. Abdulaziz noted that the TCN is currently working on a scatter system, which is funded by the World Bank and 70% complete.

“Presently, we are doing the scatter system for the whole network, and it is funded by the World Bank. The project will take two years to be completed, and now, we have done 70% of the project. Once we have the scatter system, it will reduce the frequency of system disturbances,” he explained.

In addition to upgrading transmission lines, Abdulaziz mentioned the ongoing efforts to create a “super grid,” which would provide an alternative system in case of transmission line failures. He noted that TCN is collaborating with private companies and the presidency to secure the necessary approvals and funding for the project.

“By the time we have it, even if there is a fault in one transmission line, you can switch to another so that we have an alternative. But now, with the current grid, once we have a problem with the line, you have no other line to switch on to,” he added.