The Minister of Power, Engr. Joseph Olasukanmi Tegbe, has commissioned multiple transmission infrastructure projects in Kano and Katsina states to strengthen bulk electricity supply, ease pressure on existing substations and support industrial growth.
The projects, commissioned on Thursday, October 22, and Friday, October 23, 2026, include new and upgraded transmission substations and power transformers, while work is ongoing on a new 200MVA gas-insulated substation in Katsina.
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According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the projects are designed to improve the capacity and reliability of the national transmission network, with the commissioned facilities adding 240MW at the 330kV level and 376MW at the 132kV level.
In Katsina State, Tegbe commissioned two 60MVA power transformers at the Kankia Transmission Substation, increasing its installed capacity by 150 per cent.
He also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 120MVA transmission substation comprising two 60MVA transformers at Mashi and inspected ongoing construction work at the 200MVA gas-insulated substation at the 330kV Katsina Substation.
Speaking at Kankia, the minister said the newly installed transformers had increased the substation’s capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, equivalent to 120MW of power transfer capacity.
He described the projects as evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s determination to reposition the power sector as a foundation for national development.
At Mashi, Tegbe said the new substation would provide an additional 120MVA, equivalent to 96MW, to improve electricity supply to the community and neighbouring areas upon completion.
He disclosed that issues relating to right-of-way and compensation for Project Affected Persons had been resolved, paving the way for construction to begin.
“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,” the minister said.
He acknowledged the World Bank’s funding support and explained that the Katsina projects were being delivered by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Power and TCN to strengthen transmission infrastructure and improve bulk electricity supply.
TCN Managing Director, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects would address capacity constraints and improve operational efficiency through upgrades that included digital control and protection panels, expansion of the 33kV busbar and installation of additional outgoing feeders.
He said the Mashi substation would strengthen bulk power delivery, improve voltage performance and accommodate future growth in electricity demand.
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Abdulaziz reaffirmed TCN’s commitment to developing and maintaining the transmission infrastructure needed to deliver bulk electricity to distribution companies for onward supply to consumers.
“We will continue to work with NISO, KEDCO and other stakeholders to ensure a more reliable and efficient electricity supply chain,” he said.
In Kano State, Tegbe commissioned transmission projects at Walalambe, Kumbotso, Dakata and Dan Agundi substations on Thursday.
The Walalambe Transmission Substation received two 40MVA transformers, while new 300MVA and 100MVA transformers were commissioned at Kumbotso. Additional 100MVA transformers were also commissioned at Dakata and Dan Agundi substations.
The minister said the projects would improve electricity supply to Kano’s industrial, commercial and residential areas by easing pressure on overloaded substations and creating additional capacity to meet previously unmet demand.
“The task before the Ministry of Power is to provide infrastructure that allows enterprise to flourish,” he said.
Tegbe added that the projects would create additional supply points and ease pressure on existing facilities serving Kano’s industrial and commercial corridors, where reliable electricity is essential for investment, production and employment.
He 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.
According to him, the connection demonstrates how investments in transmission infrastructure can support industrial development and improve access to reliable electricity for businesses.
The minister further disclosed that he had directed the Ministry of Power to prioritise the development of three energy zones to promote a more balanced distribution of electricity infrastructure across the country.
He pledged to collaborate with the Kano State Government and other stakeholders to harmonise power sector interventions and avoid duplication of projects.
Tegbe commended TCN and the World Bank for their contributions to the projects and urged host communities to protect electricity infrastructure against vandalism.
He also called on residents to respect transmission right-of-way corridors and report suspicious activities that could threaten national assets.
Abdulaziz said TCN would continue expanding the national transmission network, rehabilitating existing facilities and modernising critical equipment across the six geopolitical zones in support of the Federal Government’s power sector development objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.