By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
NIGERIA’s COMMITMENT to transforming its electricity sector received a clear affirmation from President Bola Tinubu during a meeting with Siemens Energy at the State House, Abuja.
The President assured the technical contractor leading the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) of the government’s full support to improve electricity supply and enhance livelihoods nationwide.
Attended by Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser on Energy Olu Verheijen, the meeting highlighted the critical role of power in driving economic growth across industry, education, and healthcare sectors.
A statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the meeting and the President’s directives.
“Completion of the phased power project will give Nigeria a place of pride on the continent by harnessing the latent potential in human and material resources across various sectors,” President Tinubu said.
The President emphasised the fundamental importance of power, describing it as “the most significant discovery of humanity in the last 1,000 years.”
He acknowledged the progress of the PPI to date while noting that the initiative had yet to reach its full potential. “We appreciate the support and commitment of the German government and Siemens.
The investment you are making and your commitment align with the future of this country,” he added.
President Tinubu also directed the expansion of major transformer substations from two to three phases to strengthen the national power supply, stating, “We are all inspired and happy.
This is what we want to achieve on the continent. We want everyone to see the glory of our economic recovery and banishment of poverty.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to provide all necessary resources to ensure the success of the initiative.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu highlighted the milestones achieved in the sector, including decentralisation and liberalisation, the signing of the Electricity Act 2023, and the development of the National Integrated Electricity Policy, the first in 24 years.
The policy has attracted over $2.2 billion in fresh investments and led to the activation of 15 state electricity markets.
Adelabu reported that since the Accelerated Agreement at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, attended by President Tinubu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the PPI had achieved significant milestones across its implementation phases.
Under the Pilot phase (Phase Zero), infrastructure upgrades and capacity enhancements have improved grid stability and reliability nationwide.
Siemens Energy has successfully delivered and commissioned 10 units of 132/33kV mobile substations, three units of 75/100MVA transformers, and seven units of 60/66MVA transformers across key load centres, adding 984MW of transmission capacity to the national grid.
The Minister informed the President that the Federal Executive Council approved the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for Phase One, Batch One of the PPI in December 2024.
This phase involves upgrading, installing, and commissioning five critical substations in Abeokuta, Offa, Ayede-Ibadan, Sokoto, and Onitsha.
Plans for civil works mobilisation at all five locations have been finalised, with concurrent manufacturing of equipment underway, and two substations targeted for completion by the end of 2026.
Preparations for Phase One, Batch Two are also underway, encompassing six Brownfield and ten Greenfield substations nationwide, collectively expected to contribute 4,104MW to the grid.
Minister Wale Edun emphasised that completion of the PPI would improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business, create jobs for youth, and help reduce poverty.
Also, Dietmar Siersdorfer, Managing Director of Siemens Energy for the Middle East and Africa, stated that two of the five substations in Batch One are expected to be completed by December 2026.
He added that a training centre is under construction to develop local talent in electrical engineering, enhance job creation, and facilitate technology transfer.
“The PPI is not just a project but a platform for long-term development and prosperity,” Siersdorfer said, noting that Nigerian professionals will participate directly in site works while thousands of local jobs will be generated through supporting services such as accommodation, transportation, and supplies.
He described the initiative as a reflection of the depth of the Germany–Nigeria partnership and the viability of the shared roadmap.
Johannes Lehne, representing the German Ambassador, assured President Tinubu of continued support and collaboration from the German government.
