The Nigerian federal government has launched a plan to tackle power supply issues in the country's major industrial corridors, targeting the creation or protection of approximately 180,000 jobs within the next six months. This initiative was announced by the Minister of Power, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, during the groundbreaking of a 50-megawatt electrification project in the Idu industrial area of Abuja.
The project, a partnership between Welbeck Electricity Distribution Limited, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), and Shell Gas Limited, aims to provide industries in the zone with a more reliable electricity supply. The first 10MW of electricity is expected to be delivered by December 2026, with the remaining 40MW to be rolled out during 2027. This development is expected to boost industrialization and economic activity along the Abuja-Kaduna axis.
According to the Minister of Power, comprehensive technical audits of power infrastructure serving major industrial clusters are being conducted, with the Lagos industrial axis, Abuja-Kaduna corridor, and Enugu-Onitsha axis identified as priorities. The Lagos industrial corridor alone accounts for approximately 40 per cent of national electricity demand, making the resolution of its infrastructure challenges critical to industrial growth and job creation.
The Minister of Power outlined a phased implementation plan to address the power supply issues, with the Lagos/Sagamu corridor being the first to be fixed within six months, followed by the Abuja and Enugu-Onitsha axes. Tegbe emphasized the need for effective coordination between generation, transmission, and distribution companies to ensure that electricity reaches industrial users.
The initiative is linked to the Electricity Act 2023, which provides a framework for greater participation by state governments and private investors in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. The decentralization of the power sector is expected to deepen participation by sub-national governments and private investors while expanding access to electricity across the country.
However, the Minister of Power identified vandalism of electricity infrastructure as a major challenge undermining efforts to improve power supply. He urged host communities to protect power assets to ensure the sustainability of the investments. The Minister also pledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the successful implementation of the Idu industrial power project.
The Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, emphasized the critical role of reliable electricity in the Federal Government's broader industrialization strategy, which focuses on local production, value addition, economic diversification, and integrating Nigerian businesses into global markets. Improved electricity supply is expected to strengthen domestic production and create employment opportunities for the country's growing youth population.
Key points
- The Nigerian government aims to create or protect 180,000 jobs within six months by addressing power supply constraints in major industrial areas.
- A 50-megawatt electrification project has been launched in the Idu industrial area of Abuja to provide industries with a more reliable electricity supply.
- The initiative is part of a broader plan to decentralize the power sector and expand access to electricity across the country.
