The Managing Director and CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz, revealed that Nigeria supplies continuous 24-hour electricity to neighboring nations like Togo and Benin, despite ongoing debates within the country following a recent power grid failure.
Abdulaziz made this statement during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Tonight program on Sunday, noting, “We provide power to Togo, Benin, and Niger around the clock, and they are paying for it.”
When questioned about why many Nigerians do not enjoy a similar uninterrupted power supply, Abdulaziz explained, “Some Nigerians receive 24-hour power, but not everyone. Those in Band A enjoy between 20-22 hours of electricity daily.” According to a report by PUNCH Online, Band A customers are prioritized for 20-24 hours of supply, while Band B customers receive 16-20 hours, and Band C customers get 12-16 hours of electricity each day.
Abdulaziz expressed confidence that Nigeria could achieve a stable and uninterrupted power supply nationwide within the next five years. “I am optimistic that we can achieve reliable power within five years or even less. The new minister is addressing the issues seriously, not just putting on a show,” he said.
He also emphasized that system collapses are not solely the responsibility of TCN. “A system collapse doesn’t mean that TCN is always at fault. The issue could stem from generation, transmission, or distribution problems. In some cases, natural disasters can cause disruptions. It’s incorrect to automatically blame TCN for every grid failure, as we are mainly responsible for grid management,” Abdulaziz clarified.
Furthermore, he explained the distinction between the current Transmission Company of Nigeria and the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). “People need to understand that TCN is different from NEPA. When we were NEPA, we handled everything—generation, transmission, distribution, and marketing. But now, TCN only manages transmission. There are other sectors—generation and distribution—that may have issues, but people often blame TCN because they associate us with NEPA,” he explained.
Abdulaziz also highlighted the challenge of aging infrastructure, pointing out that much of the equipment in use is outdated. “Many of our facilities are over 50 years old,” he remarked.
Regarding the cost of electricity, he argued that Nigerians perceive it as expensive because they are accustomed to lower prices. “Electricity may seem costly now, but in reality, we still pay less compared to other African countries. In places like Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Niger, electricity is more expensive than in Nigeria,” he concluded.
