Key Takeaways
- The Federal Government has commissioned upgraded transmission facilities at four major Lagos substations: Ijora, Apapa Road, Alausa, and Lekki.
- The projects add approximately 360MW of new transmission capacity, boosting electricity supply across the state.
- Consumers served by Eko and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies will benefit from improved bulk power delivery.
- The upgrades were supported by the World Bank and JICA, with Shanghai Electric involved in execution.
In a significant step toward addressing Nigeria's persistent power supply challenges, the Federal Government has commissioned upgraded transmission infrastructure at four major substations in Lagos, adding about 360 megawatts (MW) of bulk power capacity. The projects at Ijora, Apapa Road, Alausa, and Lekki are designed to strengthen electricity delivery to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers within the networks of Eko and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies.
What the Upgrades Include
Ijora Substation
At Ijora, two new 100MVA transformers raised installed capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA, adding approximately 112MW. This is a major leap for a facility that serves parts of Lagos Island and the mainland.
Apapa Road Substation
The Apapa Road substation received two 60MVA transformers and modern gas-insulated switchgear, increasing its capacity from 60MVA to 180MVA and adding about 96MW. This upgrade is critical for the port area's commercial activity.
Alausa Substation
At Alausa, an existing 30MVA transformer was replaced with a 100MVA unit, lifting total capacity from 135MVA to 205MVA and adding about 56MW. The additional capacity has increased power allocation to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company to 80MW, potentially serving around 70,000 households — approximately 180,000 people.
Lekki Substation
At Lekki, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) commissioned two 60MVA transformers, one 300MVA transformer, and nine additional 33kV feeders. This intervention doubled transformation capacity at the 132/33kV level from 120MVA to 240MVA, benefiting an estimated 100,000 customers, or about 400,000 residents.
Government's Vision and International Support
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, emphasized the strategic importance of the investment. "These infrastructures have been here for over 25 years. What we are doing is commissioning new power transformers in Apapa, Ijora, Alausa and Lekki transmission substations. This is important as it will increase our wheeling capacity and also improve our delivery to end-users," he said.
TCN Managing Director, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, revealed that the projects were supported by the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with Shanghai Electric involved in execution. This international backing highlights global confidence in Nigeria's power sector reform agenda.
Broader Implications for Nigeria's Power Sector
The commissioning comes amid persistent challenges in Nigeria's power sector, including inadequate transmission infrastructure, grid instability, and low electricity access rates. Transmission bottlenecks have long constrained the nation's ability to deliver generated power to consumers, leading to frequent supply interruptions. Expanding substation capacity is a key step in addressing these systemic issues, as it allows power to flow more efficiently from generation plants to distribution networks.
Lagos, as Nigeria's commercial hub, stands to gain significantly from more reliable electricity. Improved supply is expected to lower operating costs for businesses, enhance residential comfort, and support small and medium-sized enterprises that depend on power for daily operations.
Why This Matters
This multi-location upgrade is more than a routine infrastructure project; it represents a concrete move toward a more stable and efficient national grid. By boosting transmission capacity in Lagos, the Federal Government is not only addressing immediate power shortages but also laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth and energy security in Nigeria's largest city.