How Bold Reforms, Accelerated Infrastructure Delivery and Strategic Modernization of the National Grid Inspired Me

 This is one of the most illustrative testimonies
and brilliance of the stewardship accounts of how Nigeria’s national grid was transformed by no less a person than the recently reappointed managing director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Engr. (Dr) Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz

Stories by our reporters

The testament of my stewardship you are about to read has been made possible in part due to the immense support garnered from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Ministry of Power, as well as my decades of engineering experience, project management expertise, and deep institutional knowledge of the Nigerian power sector.

My appointment came at a critical time in the evolution of Nigeria’s electricity industry when the transmission segment of the value chain required renewed strategic direction, accelerated infrastructure development, stronger operational discipline, and modern digital capabilities to support a rapidly evolving electricity market.

From the outset, my leadership philosophy has been anchored on project execution, grid stability, innovation, and human capital development. These guiding principles have shaped a stewardship defined by bold reforms, accelerated infrastructure delivery, and the strategic modernization of Nigeria’s national grid. Amongst them are:

Driving Infrastructure Delivery and Network Expansion

One of my key defining hallmarks has been the acceleration of transmission infrastructure projects across the country. That recognition became necessary to prioritize the completion of long-delayed projects while initiating new strategic investments aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national grid.

Under my stewardship, TCN intensified efforts to expand transformer capacity, construct new transmission substations, and reinforce critical transmission corridors across the country. Several substations were upgraded through the installation of additional power transformers and modern switchgear, significantly increasing the grid’s wheeling capacity and improving operational flexibility.

These interventions have strengthened the ability of the national grid to evacuate power from generating stations and deliver it efficiently to distribution networks across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

In addition to expanding physical infrastructure, my administration prioritized rehabilitation and modernization of aging transmission facilities, ensuring that critical equipment across the network meets contemporary operational standards and reliability benchmarks.

Launch of the Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP)

To institutionalize a more strategic and forward-looking approach to grid development, it became necessary to launch an ambitious transformation initiative known as the Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP).

The programme provides a comprehensive framework for systematic maintenance of transmission infrastructure, expansion of the national grid to support growing generation capacity, rehabilitation of aging assets across substations and transmission lines, and deployment of modern grid technologies to enhance system monitoring and operational efficiency.

Through this programme, TCN has been able to pursue a more coordinated approach to infrastructure development, ensuring that investments are aligned with Nigeria’s long-term energy security and economic development objectives.

The programme also emphasizes operational resilience and proactive asset management, enabling the company to transition from reactive maintenance practices toward a more predictive and data-driven maintenance culture.

Advancing Digital Transformation and Innovation

Another defining pillar of my stewardship has been the introduction of digital technologies to modernize grid operations.

Under my watch, TCN launched several innovative digital initiatives aimed at improving system visibility, operational decision-making, and real-time monitoring of the national grid.

One of the most notable achievements has been the development of Internet of Things-based monitoring solutions by TCN’s in-house engineers. These locally developed systems enabled the NCC to obtain real-time operational data from generation stations and transmission substations across the network.

The deployment of these technologies has significantly improved grid visibility, operational situational awareness, and data-driven operational planning.

This innovation not only demonstrates the technical capability of Nigerian engineers but also reflects a strategic shift toward locally driven solutions that strengthen institutional capacity and reduce reliance on external technologies.

 

Achieving Record Operational Milestones

The strengthening of grid infrastructure and operational discipline under my administration has translated into measurable improvements in grid performance.

You may well know that one of the most notable operational milestones during this period was the successful transmission of Nigeria’s all-time peak generation of 5,801.84 MW on 4 March 2025 at 21:15 hours. On the same day, the national grid also recorded the highest daily energy ever attained of 128,370.75 MWh, further demonstrating the improved capability and resilience of the transmission network to evacuate and deliver higher volumes of electricity across the country.

Equally remarkable was the sustained period of grid stability spanning 421 days from 20 July 2022 to 13 September 2023, during which the national grid operated without a system collapse.

This achievement represents one of the longest periods of uninterrupted grid stability in Nigeria’s electricity sector history and reflects improvements in system operations, maintenance practices, and coordinated grid management.

Strengthening Regional Power Integration through the West African Power Pool

At this stage, it is important to note that  as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, I also served as the Chairman of the Executive Board of the West African Power Pool, the specialized institution of the ECOWAS responsible for integrating the national power systems of member countries into a unified regional electricity market.

Therefore, leveraging on this enabled me to provide leadership that helped advance one of the most significant milestones in the history of the West African electricity sector and the operational capacity of the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

Working along this line, the West African Power Pool on the 8^th of November, 2025, successfully conducted a historic synchronization test of the regional power grid during which the power systems of several ECOWAS member states were successfully operated in synchronized mode at a common frequency. The test involved the coordinated operation of transmission networks across multiple countries and demonstrated the technical readiness of the region to operate an interconnected and harmonized electricity system.

As the operator of the largest and most strategically positioned transmission network within the West African region, the Transmission Company of Nigeria played a central role in enabling the successful execution of this synchronization exercise. The achievement highlighted the technical capability of Nigeria’s grid infrastructure and the expertise of TCN engineers in supporting complex regional grid operations.

This milestone marked a significant step toward the realization of a fully integrated West African electricity market, which is expected to enhance regional energy security, improve system reliability through reserve sharing among countries, and facilitate increased cross-border electricity trade across the ECOWAS sub-region.

It is also worthy to note that under my leadership, the successful completion and commissioning of the WAPP International Communication Centre at Calavi in Cotonou, Benin Republic, was completed.

Aligning TCN with the Electricity Act 2023

My tenure also coincided with one of the most significant regulatory transformations in Nigeria’s electricity sector, the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023, which introduced far-reaching reforms aimed at decentralizing electricity governance and modernizing the industry structure.

In close collaboration with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Federal Ministry of Power, and other critical stakeholders in the electricity value chain, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, played a key role in facilitating the implementation of several institutional reforms required by the Act, most notably the separation of the Nigerian Independent System Operator from the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

This separation represents a major structural reform designed to strengthen market transparency, improve operational neutrality, and align Nigeria’s electricity market structure with international best practices.

Through sustained engagement and coordination with government institutions, regulators, and industry stakeholders, TCN ensured a smooth and orderly transition that preserves grid reliability while supporting the emergence of a more competitive and efficient electricity market.

Strengthening Human Capital and Staff Welfare

Beyond infrastructure and institutional reforms, I also placed significant emphasis on human capital development and staff welfare.

Recognizing that the transmission network is operated and maintained by highly skilled professionals, my administration prioritized policies aimed at improving staff motivation, capacity building, and workplace safety.

These efforts include enhanced training and professional development programmes, improved staff welfare initiatives, strengthened safety culture across transmission operations, and the promotion of internal innovation and technical excellence.

By investing in the workforce, the administration has reinforced the institutional capacity required to manage a modern and increasingly complex transmission network.

 

 

 

Positioning TCN for the Future

Today, the Transmission Company of Nigeria stands better positioned to meet the evolving demands of Nigeria’s electricity sector. Through sustained infrastructure expansion, strategic digital transformation, institutional reforms, and deliberate investment in human capital, the company has significantly strengthened its capacity to deliver on its mandate as the backbone of the nation’s power system.

As Nigeria continues its journey toward a more resilient, efficient, and diversified electricity sector, my stewardship represents a period marked by strategic transformation, operational resilience, and renewed institutional confidence in the national transmission network.

The progress recorded has laid a solid foundation upon which ongoing investments, reforms, and innovations can continue to build, ensuring that Nigeria’s transmission grid remains capable of supporting economic growth, industrial development, and improved electricity access for millions of Nigerians.

However, several critical strategic projects initiated remain at various stages of implementation, including major transmission expansion programmes, grid reinforcement initiatives, and modernization efforts aimed at strengthening the long-term stability and capacity of the national grid.

It is therefore a testimony of our collective determination and the unprecedented assistance of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration that these accomplishments recorded are made possible. The next few years will enable the consolidation of the gains already achieved and facilitate the successful delivery of key initiatives that are vital to the continued transformation of Nigeria’s transmission network.