Nigeria provides 24-Hour electricity to Togo, Ghana, Benin-TCN

By Ayooluwa Ayobami

The Managing Director and CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz, has disclosed that despite domestic issues like the recent collapse of the national grid, Nigeria is still able to supply 24-hour electricity to neighboring countries Togo, Benin, and Niger.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, Abdulaziz said: “We supply Togo, Benin, and Niger. They get power from Nigeria on a 24-hour basis, and they are paying for it.”

When asked why many Nigerians do not enjoy similar uninterrupted power, the TCN boss said: “Nigerians are getting 24-hour supply, but it’s not everyone.

“Those in Band A receive 20-22 hours of power supply.

“I am telling you we can get consistent power supply in less than five years.

“The new minister is looking at the problems; he is not doing cosmetic showdowns.”

Explaining the cause of the frequent grid collapses, he said: “If there is a system collapse, it doesn’t mean all the problems are from TCN; it can be from generation, it can be from transmission, it can be from distribution… TCN is in charge of managing the grid.”

Clarifying the difference between the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), and the TCN, he added: “People have to understand the difference between TCN and NEPA.

“When we were NEPA, we were the ones doing the generation, transmission, distribution, and marketing.

But now we are only doing one leg, which is transmission. But there could be issues in all other sectors.”

Abdulaziz emphasised the infrastructure issues facing the company, pointing out that a significant portion of TCN’s equipment is outdated. “Most of our equipment is more than 50 years old,” he stated.

He however added that: “Electricity may seem expensive here, but that’s because we are used to lower prices. If you look at other African nations, you’ll find that Nigeria offers cheaper rates.”