The Minister of Power, Engr. Joseph Olasukanmi Tegbe, has commissioned multiple transmission infrastructure projects in Kano and Katsina states, adding new capacity to the national grid and strengthening bulk electricity supply to homes, businesses and industries.
The projects, commissioned on Thursday, October 22, and Friday, October 23, 2026, include new and upgraded transmission substations and power transformers. According to the Ministry of Power, they add a combined 240MW at the 330kV level and 376MW at the 132kV level to the transmission network.
In Katsina State, the minister commissioned two 60MVA power transformers at the Kankia Transmission Substation, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 120MVA transmission substation in Mashi and inspected ongoing construction work at the 200MVA gas insulated switchgear (GIS) substation at the 330kV Katsina Substation.
Speaking at Kankia, Tegbe said the installation of the two transformers had increased the substation’s installed capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, describing the project as part of efforts to strengthen electricity transmission infrastructure under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
At Mashi, the minister said the new 120MVA substation, comprising two 60MVA transformers, would provide additional capacity equivalent to about 96MW upon completion, improving electricity supply to the community and neighbouring areas.
He added that outstanding issues relating to rights 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,” Tegbe said.
The minister acknowledged the World Bank’s role in funding the projects, which are being delivered by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects would address capacity constraints and improve the reliability of electricity transmission in the state.
He explained that the works also included modernising control rooms with digital control and protection panels, expanding the 33kV busbar and installing additional outgoing feeders.
According to Abdulaziz, the Mashi substation would strengthen bulk power delivery, improve voltage performance and provide capacity to accommodate future electricity demand.
He reaffirmed TCN’s commitment to expanding and maintaining the transmission infrastructure required 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 additional transmission infrastructure on Thursday, October 22, including the Walalambe Transmission Substation, equipped with two 40MVA transformers.
At the Kumbotso Transmission Substation, he commissioned new 300MVA and 100MVA power transformers, while additional 100MVA transformers were commissioned at the Dakata and Dan Agundi transmission substations.
Tegbe said the projects would strengthen bulk electricity supply to Kano’s industrial, commercial and residential areas by easing pressure on existing facilities and creating room to serve previously unmet demand.
“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.
He added that the projects would create a new supply point and relieve pressure on existing substations, helping to support economic activities across the Kano electricity network.
The minister also highlighted the provision of a dedicated 33kV feeder to Lee Group of Companies, which, he said, had operated off-grid for more than 30 years. He described the connection to the national grid as an example of how transmission infrastructure could support industrial development.
Tegbe disclosed that he had directed the ministry to prioritise the development of three energy zones to promote a more balanced distribution of electricity infrastructure across the country.
He also pledged to work with the Kano State Government and other power sector stakeholders to harmonise interventions and avoid duplication of projects.
While commending TCN and the World Bank for their contributions, the minister 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.
Abdulaziz said the projects formed part of TCN’s nationwide efforts to expand transmission infrastructure, rehabilitate existing facilities and modernise critical equipment across the six geopolitical zones.
He urged communities to protect public infrastructure, respect transmission right of way corridors and report suspicious activities, stressing that a reliable transmission network was essential to achieving the Federal Government’s electricity sector development objectives.
