Low Funding, Vandalism Cripple Nigeria’s Power Transmission Efforts

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which serves as the backbone of the country’s power sector, is struggling under the weight of inadequate funding and frequent vandalism. These issues are undermining efforts to expand the national electricity grid and improve power supply across the country.

TCN operates Nigeria’s high-voltage transmission network, which links over 29 power generation plants to the 12 electricity distribution companies. It also connects to neighbouring countries like Niger, Togo, and Benin Republic through 330 kV and 132 kV lines.

Despite its critical role, the company faces serious challenges. Its infrastructure is aging, resources are stretched thin, and vandals continue to damage power lines and equipment. These problems have significantly reduced the company’s ability to efficiently transmit electricity from generating stations to end users.

The Federal Government’s ambitions for national grid expansion and wider electrification are at risk unless urgent steps are taken to address these long-standing issues in the power transmission sector.