FG Moves To Deliver 24/7 Power In Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Others As Power Minister Meets DisCos

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

The Federal Government has intensified plans to deliver uninterrupted 24-hour electricity to high-demand areas across the country with the introduction of proposed Energy Zones.

The Minister of Power, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this during a strategic closed-door meeting with the leadership of select electricity distribution companies, DisCos, in Abuja.

The meeting, held in furtherance of the Federal Government’s commitment to deliver reliable electricity to Nigerians, focused on the proposed Energy Zones designed to guarantee stable, round-the-clock power supply to homes, businesses and industries.

According to details from the meeting, the pilot zones will cover the country’s highest-demand corridors, namely the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, and the Enugu-Port Harcourt axis.

Speaking during the engagement, Tegbe explained that Nigeria’s power challenge goes beyond generation and transmission. He noted that a major constraint remains the capacity of distribution companies to take up available power and deliver it efficiently to end-users.

“The constraint on the sector is not limited to generation and transmission but includes how much power is taken up and delivered at the distribution end,” the Minister said.

He stressed that the proposed Energy Zones are meant to close that gap, unlock suppressed commercial and industrial demand, and strengthen DisCo revenue and collections through improved service delivery.

Tegbe also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to build up infrastructure in high-demand areas to ensure supply keeps pace with estimated demand in Nigeria’s growing economy.

He said the initiative aligns with his pledge upon assuming office to adopt a disciplined and sequenced approach to addressing the sector’s long-standing challenges, rather than fragmented interventions.

The engagement also advances the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places reliable energy at the centre of economic growth, industrialisation and job creation.

Stakeholders at the meeting discussed operational modalities for the zones, including infrastructure upgrades, metering, improved collection efficiency, and targeted investments to ensure sustainability.

In attendance were the leadership of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, Ikeja Electric, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, and the Sahara Energy Group.

Sources at the meeting said the DisCos expressed readiness to partner with the Federal Government on the initiative, while also highlighting the need for cost-reflective tariffs, reduction of technical and commercial losses, and support to address legacy debts.

Energy analysts say if successfully implemented, the Energy Zones could transform power supply for industries, small businesses and households in major economic hubs, reduce reliance on generators, and boost investor confidence.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has for decades struggled with unstable electricity supply despite having an installed generation capacity of over 13,000 megawatts, with only a fraction distributed to consumers due to transmission and distribution bottlenecks.

The proposed 24/7 Energy Zones are expected to prioritize areas with high commercial and industrial concentration, where reliable power can have the greatest impact on productivity and employment.

The Ministry of Power is expected to release a detailed framework for the implementation, including timelines, funding structure and regulatory support, in the coming weeks.

For now, Nigerians in the targeted zones will be watching closely to see if the latest promise translates into real and lasting light.