By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has commissioned several transmission infrastructure projects in Kano and Katsina states to strengthen electricity supply, ease pressure on existing facilities and support industrial growth.
The projects, commissioned during a two-day visit on October 22 and 23, 2026, include new power transformers at various transmission substations, while construction works commenced on a new 120MVA substation in Mashi, Katsina State.
The minister also inspected the ongoing 200MVA Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation at the 330kV Katsina transmission facility.
The projects were reported to have added 240MW of capacity at the 330kV level and 376MW at the 132kV level to the national transmission network.
In Katsina, Tegbe commissioned two 60MVA power transformers at the Kankia Transmission Substation, alongside the groundbreaking ceremony for a new substation in Mashi comprising two 60MVA transformers.
At Kankia, the minister said the installation had increased the substation's capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, equivalent to 120MW.
He described the interventions as part of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at strengthening the power sector and providing the infrastructure required for national development.
Speaking at the Mashi groundbreaking ceremony, Tegbe said the proposed 120MVA substation would deliver an additional 96MW upon completion, improving electricity supply to the community and neighbouring areas.
He disclosed that issues relating to right-of-way and compensation for Project Affected Persons had been resolved, allowing construction to commence.
"Today, we break ground in Mashi with a clear purpose, which is to build electricity infrastructure that supports livelihoods and gives this community greater room to grow," he said.
The minister said the Katsina projects were being implemented by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), with support from the World Bank, to improve transmission capacity and bulk electricity delivery.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects would address capacity constraints and improve the operational efficiency of the affected substations.
He explained that the interventions included the installation of additional transformers, modernisation of control rooms with digital control and protection panels, expansion of the 33kV busbar and installation of additional outgoing feeders.
According to him, the Mashi substation would improve voltage performance, strengthen bulk electricity supply and provide capacity for future demand.
Abdulaziz reaffirmed TCN's commitment to expanding and maintaining the national transmission network in collaboration with the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) and other stakeholders.
In Kano State, Tegbe commissioned the Walalambe Transmission Substation, equipped with two 40MVA transformers, on Thursday.
He also commissioned 300MVA and 100MVA power transformers at the Kumbotso Transmission Substation, while additional 100MVA transformers were commissioned at the Dakata and Dan Agundi transmission substations.
The minister said the projects would improve electricity supply to Kano's industrial, commercial and residential areas by creating additional supply points, relieving pressure on existing substations and providing capacity to accommodate previously unmet demand.
He noted that improved transmission infrastructure was essential to supporting businesses, attracting investment, increasing production and creating employment opportunities.
"With these projects just inaugurated, the Federal Government has opened a new route for bulk electricity to reach the industrial and commercial corridors where investment, production and employment depend on it," he said.
Tegbe also highlighted the connection of Lee Group of Companies to the national grid through a dedicated 33kV feeder, noting that the company had operated off-grid for more than 30 years.
He said the development demonstrated how investments in electricity infrastructure could support industrial expansion and reduce dependence on independent power arrangements.
The minister further disclosed that he had directed the ministry to prioritise the development of three energy zones to promote balanced electricity supply across the country.
He pledged to work with the Kano State Government and other stakeholders to coordinate power sector interventions and avoid duplication of projects.
Tegbe commended TCN and the World Bank for supporting the projects and urged host communities to protect the facilities against vandalism.
"Please help us protect this infrastructure and ensure our vigilance is stronger than ever, to fight the challenge of infrastructure vandalism across the country," he said.
He added that the Federal Government would continue implementing projects aimed at expanding electricity access and improving supply nationwide.
Also speaking, Abdulaziz said TCN was pursuing the expansion of transmission infrastructure, rehabilitation of existing facilities and modernisation of critical equipment across the six geopolitical zones.
He said the initiatives were designed to strengthen the national grid and support the Federal Government's power sector development objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The TCN managing director urged communities to protect public assets, respect transmission right-of-way corridors and report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.