By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Engr Sule Abdulaziz says through deliberate efforts made to strengthen infrastructure, rehabilitate aging assets, and expand transformer capacity across the country, the company’s wheeling capacity has grown to 8,700 megawatts (MW) in the outgoing year 2025.
Engr Abdulaziz made this known in his 2025 End-of-Year Goodwill Message titled: “Reflecting on a Year of Progress and Powering Our Future Together”.
He said, “This year, we made deliberate strides to strengthen our infrastructure, rehabilitate aging assets, and expand transformer capacity across the country.
With these efforts, TCN’s wheeling capability has grown to 8,700MW, ensuring that we are better prepared to support the nation’s increasing demand for electricity.
“A highlight of our progress came on March 4, 2025, when TCN transmitted an all-time peak generation of 5.801.84MW with a maximum daily energy of 128,370.75MWh delivered nationwide – the highest ever recorded in the country’s history between January 2024 and November 2025.
“We also commissioned eighty-two new power transformers, adding over 8,500MVA to the grid, a major boost to reliability and capacity.”
He also revealed that the company advanced several critical projects funded by our development partners valued at over $1.16 billion.
“This partnership has resulted in projects such as the Abuja Feeding Scheme, which includes the construction of five new substations and a new 330kV transmission line. Some of these projects are already completed, while others are ongoing, aimed at modernising the grid, expanding capacity, and preparing TCN to meet the energy needs of a growing economy,” he explained.
“Vandalism continues to be a thorny issue in the affairs of TCN. From January to November 2025 alone, the company recorded 131 vandalism incidents across its network.
“Management is however working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), other security operatives, and vigilante groups in some communities to curb this menace. We will continue to intensify sensitisation campaigns and community engagement efforts to curb this trend and safeguard our critical infrastructure.
“Within the TCN family, Management has also continued to work closely with our unions in the best interest of staff and organisational harmony. We appreciate the constructive collaboration with the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), whose cooperation has belped sustain industrial peace throughout the year.”
He noted that the outgoing year is history in that with the accomplishment of unbundling of TCN and the successful take-off of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), TCN now stands fully focused on infrastructural development, maintenance, expanding and strengthening the transmission network, while NISO assumes responsibility for general administration of the system and market operations as well as enforcement and compliance audit.
While expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the TCN team and all development partners for their dedication and contribution to the success story so far, the MD on the other hand highlighted some of the major challenges bedeviling the sector.
He said, “No doubt, this year has presented its unique set of challenges, from evolving regulatory landscapes to the persistent issues of infrastructure vandalisation, wayleave, and liquidity constraints that affect our operations. Yet, it is in overcoming these obstacles that the true strength of our team shines through.
“Through your unwavering commitment, we have continued to make significant strides in our core mandate of ensuring the reliable transmission of electricity across the nation, and as the year 2025 comes to a close, I look back with pride and gratitude at a year that has truly reshaped the identity of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).”
Projecting into the coming year 2026, the TCN boss said, “We must endeavour to build on this years accomplishments, with focus on accelerating project implementation, modernising transmission infrastructure, prompt maintenance, and deepening stakeholder engagement.
“As TCN deepens its collaboration with NISO, I urge all staff to embrace this partnership, together with NISO and other sector players, we must stay focused on the larger goal of advancing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and powering our nation’s growth.
“At this moment of reflection and celebration, I give thanks to God Almighty for seeing us through another year. I also express deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, our donour and financial partners, security agencies, and colleagues across the power sector for their steadfast support.
“As we look to the New Year, we cannot afford to rest on our oars. We will intensify efforts to further increase grid capacity, stability, and efficiency as we continue to journey towards becoming one of the leading electricity transmission companies in the world.
“The future holds exciting opportunities, and I am confident that the TCN team has the vision and capability to seize them.”