Nigeria’s power transmission company, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), recorded 131 cases of infrastructure vandalism across its network in 2025, affecting more than 178 transmission towers.
From January to November 2025 alone, the company recorded 131 vandalism incidents across its network, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, disclosed in his end-of-year message to staff, partners, and stakeholders in Abuja.
Mr Abdulaziz assured that management is working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser, security agencies, and community vigilante groups to curb the menace, adding that TCN will continue sensitisation campaigns and community engagement to safeguard critical infrastructure.
Despite the challenges posed by vandalism and other operational constraints, Abdulaziz announced that TCN recorded an all-time peak electricity transmission of 5,801.84 megawatts on March 4, 2025.
The achievement was accompanied by a maximum daily energy delivery of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours nationwide, the highest ever recorded on Nigeria’s national grid.
According to him, the milestone was driven by deliberate investments in infrastructure rehabilitation, expansion of transformer capacity, and sustained maintenance of transmission assets.
“Dear colleagues, valued partners, and stakeholders, as we come to the end of another challenging yet remarkable year at TCN, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the dedication and resilience you have all shown,” Abdulaziz said.
“This year presented its own set of challenges, from evolving regulatory landscapes to persistent issues of infrastructure vandalism and liquidity constraints. Yet, it is in overcoming these obstacles that the true strength of our team shines through.
“We made deliberate strides to strengthen our infrastructure, rehabilitate ageing assets, and expand transformer capacity across the country. As a result, TCN’s wheeling capacity has grown to 8,700 megawatts, better positioning us to support Nigeria’s increasing electricity demand.”
Highlighting operational milestones, Abdulaziz recalled that on March 4, 2025, TCN transmitted an all-time peak generation of 5,801.84 megawatts, with a maximum daily energy delivery of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours—the highest in the country’s history.
Between January 2024 and November 2025, he said TCN commissioned 82 new power transformers, adding more than 8,500 megavolt-amperes (MVA) to the national grid to enhance reliability and capacity.
However, he lamented that vandalism remains a major threat to grid stability, reiterating that the company recorded 131 vandalism incidents across its network between January and November 2025.
Abdulaziz also highlighted key sector reforms achieved in 2025, including the unbundling of TCN and the successful launch of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO).
He further disclosed that donor-funded projects valued at over $1.16 billion were advanced during the year. These include the Abuja Feeding Scheme, which involves the construction of five new substations and a 330-kilovolt transmission line.
“TCN also advanced several critical projects funded by our development partners, valued at over $1.16 billion. Some of these projects are already completed, while others are ongoing, all aimed at modernising the grid, expanding capacity, and preparing TCN to meet the energy needs of a growing economy,” he said.
The TCN boss commended staff for their dedication, describing them as the company’s “greatest asset,” and expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, security agencies, development partners, and other industry stakeholders for their support.
He also extended condolences to the families of staff members who lost their lives in 2025.
Looking ahead to 2026, Abdulaziz said TCN would intensify efforts to increase grid capacity, stability, and efficiency, while deepening collaboration with NISO and other stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity supply industry.
“As we move into the new year, we must build on our accomplishments by accelerating project implementation, modernising transmission infrastructure, ensuring prompt maintenance, and deepening stakeholder engagement,” he said.
“We cannot afford to rest on our oars. We will intensify efforts to further increase grid capacity, stability, and efficiency as we continue our journey toward becoming one of the leading electricity transmission companies in the world.”
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