FG engages Ebonyi, Enugu on 4,000MW grid plan

The Federal Government’s drive to fix Nigeria’s fragile power infrastructure has received a boost as the FGN Power Company Limited has intensified its engagement with subnational authorities in Ebonyi and Enugu states, pushing forward the implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative.

The company said the high-level meetings with both state governments were aimed at accelerating Phase 1 of the PPI, a flagship programme designed to overhaul transmission and distribution networks and deliver a more stable electricity supply across the country.

According to a statement signed by its Communications Lead, Magdalene Abang, on Monday in Abuja, the delegation, led by the Chief Commercial Officer, Babatunde Daramola-Oniru, held talks with secretaries to the state governments, commissioners, and other top officials to ensure alignment on key infrastructure projects.

The statement read, “The management of FGN Power Company has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic stakeholder collaboration following high-level engagements with the Ebonyi and Enugu State governments. These meetings are a critical component of the ongoing efforts to accelerate Phase 1 of the Presidential Power Initiative, aimed at transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape. “The delegation, led by the Chief Commercial Officer of FGNPC, Babatunde Daramola-Oniru, met with the secretaries to the state governments, commissioners of energy, and key representatives to deepen alignment and ensure the seamless execution of vital power infrastructure projects within both states.”

Speaking during the engagements, Daramola-Oniru stressed that collaboration with states and host communities would determine the long-term success of the initiative, noting that technical execution alone would not guarantee sustainable outcomes.

He said, “The success of the Presidential Power Initiative goes beyond technical execution; it is rooted in strong partnerships with state governments, host communities, and key stakeholders.

“Engaging stakeholders from the onset ensures local ownership, reduces implementation risks, and guarantees that these investments serve the people long after project completion. What we are building is not just infrastructure but a foundation for economic growth and improved quality of life.”

In Ebonyi State, discussions centred on the proposed Ugwaji-Okposi 330kV double-circuit transmission line, a critical project expected to unlock stranded generation capacity and strengthen grid reliability in the South-East.

The project, the company said, would significantly enhance power evacuation capacity, thereby improving electricity supply to homes, industries, and public institutions.

Welcoming the intervention, the Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, Prof. Grace Umezurike, described the project as vital to the state’s development ambitions: “We wholeheartedly welcome these projects and pledge our full support to ensure they are delivered on schedule.

“In Ebonyi, the significance of this intervention cannot be overstated; it is the backbone required to power our international airport, our hospitals, and our schools. We are committed to removing any bottlenecks to ensure our people reap these benefits quickly.”

Similarly, in Enugu State, government officials linked the PPI projects to the state’s broader urban renewal and economic transformation agenda.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said reliable electricity remained central to the vision of positioning Enugu as a modern smart city.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with His Excellency’s vision to transform Enugu into a modern Smart City,” Onyia said. “A robust and reliable power network is the prerequisite for the digital and industrial revolution we are building. Enugu is ready to support sectoral investments and provide the necessary cooperation to ensure FGN Power Company’s projects are a resounding success.”

The FGN Power Company, a special purpose vehicle set up to implement the PPI, is mandated to support the Federal Government’s target of increasing grid capacity by 4,000 megawatts over the next three years.

The initiative, being executed in partnership with Siemens Energy and engineering, procurement and construction contractors, is expected to address longstanding bottlenecks in Nigeria’s power value chain, particularly in transmission and distribution.

Industry data show that despite an installed generation capacity of over 13,000MW, Nigeria struggles to deliver about 4,000–5,000MW to consumers due to weak transmission networks and distribution constraints.

To address these gaps, the company said state governments would play critical roles in facilitating right-of-way approvals for transmission lines, resolving land and environmental issues, and providing security to prevent vandalism of power infrastructure.

It noted that sustained collaboration at the subnational level would be key to bridging the gap between federal policy and on-ground execution.

The latest engagements signal a shift towards deeper federal-state coordination in the power sector, as authorities increasingly recognise that infrastructure delivery requires not just funding and technical expertise, but also local buy-in and institutional support.

With the PPI now advancing in phases, stakeholders say its success could mark a turning point for Nigeria’s electricity supply, which has long been a major constraint on industrial growth, investment, and overall economic development.

The Siemens project, officially known as the Presidential Power Initiative, is a Federal Government programme launched in 2019 to overhaul Nigeria’s electricity system in partnership with Siemens Energy.

It was conceived to address chronic challenges in Nigeria’s power sector, especially weak transmission networks, outdated infrastructure, and limited capacity to deliver electricity to homes and businesses.

The project is structured in phases. Phase 1 focuses on quick-impact interventions such as rehabilitating transmission lines, upgrading substations, and installing modern equipment to stabilise the grid. Subsequent phases aim to expand capacity and ultimately raise available electricity to about 25,000 megawatts over the long term.

A key target in the early stage is to increase operational grid capacity by at least 4,000MW, improving reliability and reducing frequent system collapses.

To drive implementation, the government created the FGN Power Company as a special purpose vehicle, working with international engineering contractors alongside Siemens.

Overall, the initiative is seen as one of Nigeria’s most ambitious power sector reforms, designed to move the country from unstable supply to a more reliable and industrial-scale electricity system.