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Sule Abdulaziz, Managing Director and CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), announced that Nigeria is supplying uninterrupted electricity to neighboring countries Togo and Benin, despite ongoing discussions about the nation’s recent power grid failures. During an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Tonight, Abdulaziz stated, “We supply Togo, Benin, and Niger with power on a 24-hour basis, and they are paying for it.”
In response to questions about the lack of consistent power for many Nigerians, he clarified that while not everyone has 24-hour electricity, those in Band A—priority customers—receive power for 20 to 22 hours daily. The TCN categorizes electricity supply as follows: Band A customers get 20-24 hours, Band B receives 16-20 hours, and Band C enjoys 12-16 hours of electricity each day.
Abdulaziz expressed optimism that consistent electricity supply across Nigeria could be achieved within five years, stating, “The new minister is addressing the core issues rather than just providing cosmetic solutions.”
He explained that system failures are not solely the responsibility of the TCN, as issues can arise from generation, transmission, distribution, or even external disasters. “If there is a system collapse, it doesn’t mean all the problems are from TCN. It can stem from various sources,” he said.
The CEO also emphasized the distinction between the TCN and the now-defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). “Unlike NEPA, which handled generation, transmission, distribution, and marketing, TCN now focuses solely on transmission, although problems can arise in the other sectors.”
Abdulaziz noted the aging infrastructure as a significant challenge, revealing that much of the equipment used by TCN is over 50 years old.
On the cost of electricity, he argued that it remains relatively affordable in Nigeria compared to other African nations, stating, “Electricity may feel expensive here because we receive it at a lower price than in countries like Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Niger.”
