Despite Nigeria’s frequent power outages, the country continues to supply electricity to neighbouring nations, including Togo, Benin Republic, and Niger Republic, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, TCN Chief Executive Officer Sule Abdulaziz disclosed that these neighbouring countries receive uninterrupted power from Nigeria.
“We supply Togo, Benin, and Niger on a 24-hour basis, and they are paying for it,” Abdulaziz confirmed.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have been facing persistent power cuts, with the national grid collapsing three times in the span of a week. However, Abdulaziz explained that some Nigerians, particularly those in Band A, continue to enjoy near-constant power supply. “Nigerians are getting 24-hour supply; it’s not everybody. Those in Band A receive between 20 to 22 hours of electricity,” he noted.
Electricity distribution companies (DiScos) prioritize Band A customers, providing them with between 18 and 22 hours of power daily, he added.
The recurring grid collapses have sparked nationwide concern, raising questions about the management of Nigeria’s power sector. Abdulaziz attributed the failures to aging infrastructure but reassured Nigerians that efforts are underway to modernize the system.
“Currently, we are implementing the scatter system across the entire network, funded by the World Bank. This project is 70 percent completed and will take two years to finish. Once in place, it will significantly reduce system disturbances,” he explained.
He referenced a recent milestone celebrated with the World Bank at the Gwagwalada substation in Abuja, marking the progress of the scatter system, which is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s power grid.
Rising Electricity Costs: Is Nigeria Still Among the Cheapest?
Despite increasing electricity tariffs, Abdulaziz emphasized that Nigerians still pay less for electricity compared to some other African nations. In April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) increased tariffs for Band A customers, raising rates from N66 to N225 per kilowatt-hour. This hike came alongside economic pressures from the floating of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidies, prompting public outcry.
Yet, Abdulaziz maintained that electricity in Nigeria remains cheaper than in several African countries, citing examples such as Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal.
“Electricity may seem expensive in Nigeria now due to factors like the exchange rate, but compared to our neighbors, we’re still getting it at a lower cost,” he said.
As Nigeria grapples with internal challenges in its power sector, the nation continues to provide crucial electricity support to its regional partners while seeking solutions to stabilize its own grid.
