By Constance Athekame

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has expanded the country’s grid wheeling capacity to over 8,700 MegaWatts (MW) in the last one year.

Mr Oluwagbenga Ajiboye, TCN’S Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider (TSP) disclosed this on Thursday at a three -day capacity workshop for Power Correspondents in Keffi , Nasarawa State.

The workshop has the theme, ”Assessing the Impact and Challenges of Transmission Network in Nigeria”.

According to Ajiboye, if the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) are ready to pick load, TCN can conveniently wheel 8,700MW bulk electricity.

“Through a blend of internally funded initiatives and over 1.4 billion dollars in multilateral development financing, TCN is systematically rehabilitating ageing assets and expanding the transmission network.

H said that a major pillar of the company’s infrastructure development drive was the deployment of over 89 power transformers across the network.

He said that the addition were done across Lagos, Abuja, Benin,Kano, Jos,Gombe, Oshogbo, Asaba and other locations across the country.

Ajiboye said that that the rollout of the transformers added over 8,500 Mega Volt Ampree (MVA) of new capacity to the transmission network thereby enhancing bulk power delivery to DisCos nationwide.

”With the addition of 300 MVA transformer units at strategic locations, including Katampe, Lekki, Ikeja West and Akangba, TCN is actively addressing critical load constraints.

”This targeted expansion ensures that increased transmission capacity translates into improved operational resilience and enhanced peak power delivery to Nigerian homes and businesses.” he said.

He also said that preventive maintenance had been carried out on more than two thirds of all TCN’S locations nationwide.

He said that the company would continue to work with the office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA), security agencies and community vigilante structures to protect critical power infrastructure

Ajiboye commended the media for its sustained role in shaping public understanding of the power sector.

According to him, transparent engagement with the energy-reporting media remains vital to building public trust and ensuring that technical realities are accurately communicated to the public.

Earlier, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN’S, Mr Eric Ene, said that the engagement served as a strategic platform for TCN’S executives and technical experts to provide detailed insights into grid expansion efforts.

He said that the workshop would also give details on preventive maintenance, system stability initiatives, and the broader roadmap for the nation’s power transmission infrastructure.

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has withdrawn from the 2027 governorship race in Oyo State after losing the All Progressives Congress, APC, ticket.

Adelabu disclosed his withdrawal in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, titled, ‘APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice’.

The former minister stated that his decision to quit the race did not amount to conceding the alleged injustice that characterised the party’s governorship primary in the state.

He rather attributed his decision to deep reflection and a strategic reassessment of recent developments within the party and the journey ahead.

According to the former minister, he took a short vacation outside the country following the ‘intensity and challenges’ of the past several months before returning to consult with party leaders and supporters.

He added that, upon his return, he met with party leaders and some of his supporters across the state, noting that the meetings reviewed concerns raised by party members, aspirants and stakeholders. He said the concerns also extended to the senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly nominations.

“We agreed that the absence of publicly declared and verifiable results has understandably generated serious concerns about the transparency, credibility and integrity of the nomination process.

“We also affirmed that substantial documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence exist which, in our considered view, raise serious questions about aspects of the process and the eventual outcomes,” Adelabu said.