Nigeria Begins Talks on 24-Hour Energy Zones

The Nigerian Government has begun discussions with electricity distribution companies on plans to establish Energy Zones to provide 24-hour electricity supply to homes, businesses and industries in major demand centres across the country.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of selected distribution companies to discuss the proposed initiative, which will initially target the Lagos axis, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and the Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.

The minister’s media aide, Adeola Adelabu, disclosed details of the meeting in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the proposed Energy Zones are designed to provide stable electricity to areas with high residential, commercial and industrial demand while addressing constraints within the distribution segment of the power sector.

“In furtherance of the Government’s commitment to deliver reliable electricity to Nigerians, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has held a strategic closed-door meeting with the leadership of select electricity distribution companies over the proposed Energy Zones, designed to deliver stable, 24-hour power supply to homes, businesses and industries in the country’s highest-demand areas, namely Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Enugu-Port-Harcourt,” the statement read. 

Tegbe said the challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity sector extend beyond generation and transmission to the ability of distribution companies to take up available power and deliver it efficiently to consumers.

“The constraint on the sector is not limited to generation and transmission but includes how much power is taken up and delivered at the distribution end,” the statement added. 

He said the proposed Energy Zones would help bridge that gap, support increased commercial and industrial activity, and improve the revenue and collection performance of distribution companies.

The minister also reaffirmed the Nigerian Government’s commitment to expanding electricity infrastructure in high-demand areas, stressing that supply capacity must grow alongside the needs of Nigeria’s expanding economy.

However, the statement did not provide a timeline for implementation, the capacity expected from the zones or details of the infrastructure investments required to deliver round-the-clock electricity.

The engagement, according to the statement, is part of Tegbe’s commitment upon assuming office to adopt a disciplined and phased approach to addressing the longstanding challenges in the power sector.

It also aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies reliable electricity supply as a key driver of economic growth, industrialisation and job creation.

Representatives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group attended the meeting.