Despite facing persistent power grid failures, Nigeria continues to supply uninterrupted 24-hour electricity to neighboring countries Togo and Benin, according to the Managing Director and CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz. During an interview on Channels TV, Abdulaziz confirmed that Nigeria also provides electricity to Niger, with all three countries paying for the service.
Addressing why many Nigerians still experience inconsistent power supply, Abdulaziz clarified that not all citizens are affected. He explained that Nigeria operates a tiered electricity distribution system, with Band A customers receiving 20-24 hours of power daily, while other bands receive less.
Abdulaziz expressed optimism about future improvements, stating that the new Minister of Power is focused on addressing root causes of the power crisis, with the goal of achieving consistent electricity supply nationwide within the next five years.
The TCN chief also discussed the causes of grid collapses, noting that these failures are not solely the fault of the transmission company but can arise from issues in generation or distribution as well. He highlighted the outdated infrastructure in the country’s power system, with much of the equipment being over 50 years old.
Abdulaziz also defended the affordability of electricity in Nigeria, arguing that it remains cheaper than in many other African nations, such as Burkina Faso and Senegal. He urged the public to understand the distinction between TCN and the now-defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), explaining that TCN is only responsible for transmission, not generation or distribution.
