Nigeria generates highest ever electricity in its history – 5,801MW

Nigeria has achieved a historic milestone in electricity generation, recording its highest-ever output of 5,801 megawatts on March 4, 2025. This achievement, confirmed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), signals progress in the country’s power sector. But does it mean an end to the frequent power outages that have long plagued Nigerians?

Nigeria’s Highest Electricity Generation Ever

The Managing Director of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, announced the record-breaking figure during a press briefing at the State House in Abuja. He stated:

“For the first time in our nation’s history, the power sector recorded a new and unprecedented peak generation of 5,801.84 megawatts of electricity on March 4, 2025, at 21:15 hours.”

According to Abdulaziz, TCN successfully transmitted all the generated electricity to distribution load centers across the country. He attributed this achievement to the dedication of engineers and improvements in power transmission and distribution infrastructure.

A Growing Power Sector – But Challenges Remain

Nigeria’s power sector has undergone significant changes over the years. In 2013, the federal government privatized power generation and 11 distribution companies, keeping transmission under government control through TCN. The goal was to improve efficiency, increase power supply, and reduce the long-standing problem of electricity shortages.

Despite these efforts, many Nigerians still experience unstable power supply, with regular blackouts disrupting businesses and daily life. The latest 5,801MW milestone, while impressive, is still far below the actual demand needed to provide reliable electricity for over 200 million people.

TCN’s Future Plans: 10,000MW Transmission Capacity

To address power supply challenges, TCN is working on several transmission projects aimed at improving efficiency. Abdulaziz stated that the company currently has the capacity to evacuate 8,500MW and is expanding infrastructure to handle 10,000MW in the next two years.

Some of the recent upgrades include:

✅ 66 new power transformers installed
✅ New transmission substations built
✅ Old transmission lines upgraded
✅ Digitization of substations for better efficiency

Additionally, projects funded by international donors such as the World Bank, AFD, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have helped increase transmission capacity by 9,000MVA, with ongoing improvements still in progress.

Will This Solve Nigeria’s Power Problem?

While increasing electricity generation and transmission capacity is a step in the right direction, the real challenge lies in distribution. Many communities still face poor infrastructure, outdated distribution networks, and power theft, which result in high losses before electricity even reaches consumers.

Another key issue is the financial viability of distribution companies (DisCos), which struggle with debt, unpaid bills, and low investment in infrastructure. Until these challenges are addressed, stable electricity for all Nigerians remains uncertain.

Nigeria’s record electricity generation of 5,801MW is a significant achievement, showing progress in the power sector. However, for Nigerians to truly benefit, improvements in distribution, infrastructure, and policy reforms are necessary.

With TCN’s 10,000MW target in the next two years, could this be the beginning of a more stable power supply in Nigeria? Only time will tell.