The Federal Government has commissioned two transmission projects in Lagos a new GIS substation in Apapa and upgraded transformers at Ijora adding to Nigeria’s power grid capacity.
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, commissioned two landmark electricity transmission projects in Lagos State on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The commissioning forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise the country’s power infrastructure and drive economic growth.
New Substation in Apapa
The Minister commissioned a new 2×60MVA, 132/33kV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) at Apapa Road, Lagos. The facility replaces the ageing substation commissioned in 1985 and increases bulk power availability in the Apapa axis by approximately 96 megawatts.
The Apapa corridor is home to Nigeria’s busiest ports, maritime services, logistics hubs, manufacturing plants, warehouses and commercial enterprises, making it a critical artery of the national economy. The new facility is equipped with advanced switchgear, Substation Automation Systems (SAS), SCADA infrastructure, and modern protection and control systems designed to ensure reliable electricity supply to industries and communities in the area.
The project was delivered under Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme, with execution by Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Takaoka Engineering Company Limited, and supervision by Yachiyo Engineering Company Limited. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided critical support, while the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) provided technical leadership to ensure the facility’s integration into the national grid.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister said electricity is central to President Tinubu’s ambition of transforming Nigeria into a one trillion-dollar economy, adding that the administration remains committed to strengthening substations, reinforcing transmission corridors, and removing bottlenecks to deliver available electricity to consumers. He stressed that the project marks a step, not an endpoint, toward building an electricity system that supports industrial competitiveness and economic growth.
Two Transformers Commissioned at Ijora
The Minister also commissioned two 100MVA, 132/33kV power transformers at the Ijora Transmission Substation in Lagos. The upgrade increases the substation’s capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA, equivalent to 184MW, delivering an additional 112MW of bulk transmission capacity to support industries, ports, commercial centres and communities across Lagos.
According to the Minister, the intervention will significantly improve electricity supply to Ijora, Costain, Oyingbo, Customs and adjoining communities within the franchise area of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC). The project forms part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to modernise Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.
The Minister reaffirmed President Tinubu’s vision of a one trillion-dollar economy underpinned by reliable electricity, and commended the Lagos State Government, TCN, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), the World Bank, Shanghai Electric Group, and the engineers and professionals involved in delivering the project.
The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Japan, JICA, and all professionals whose work brought the Apapa project to completion. Special recognition was also given to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his commitment to development and partnership in creating an enabling environment for the investments.
The Minister dedicated the projects to the people of Lagos, the industries and businesses that power Nigeria’s economy, and all Nigerians whose prosperity remains central to the Renewed Hope Agenda. He reaffirmed the government’s determination to continue reinforcing transmission infrastructure nationwide, address bottlenecks, support distribution improvements, and mobilise capital to build an electricity system capable of sustaining Africa’s most populous nation.
The commissioning of the Apapa GIS Substation and the upgrade of the Ijora Transmission Substation together highlight the Federal Government’s efforts to reinforce Nigeria’s electricity transmission backbone and foster industrial competitiveness under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
