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Minister Secures International Investment Commitments for Power Projects
The Federal Government has secured fresh commitments from major Chinese power companies and financial institutions to accelerate critical electricity projects and deepen Chinese investment across Nigeria’s power value chain.
The commitments, which cover generation, transmission, equipment manufacturing, renewable energy and grid digitalisation, followed a high-level Nigeria-China power sector mission to Beijing led by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.
Tegbe disclosed this in Abuja while presenting his scorecard for his first 100 days in office, saying the government was seeking to move beyond conventional contractor arrangements to partnerships that would bring additional capital, technology and technical expertise into the sector.
Among the companies involved are Sinomach, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC) and TBEA, alongside Chinese financial institutions.
CMEC has reaffirmed its commitment to the 1.9GW Presidential Power Initiative, with the first transmission lines under the programme expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2027.
CNEEC, the minister said, is advancing financing of $116 million for the Zungeru power evacuation project, while TBEA has proposed a $500 million industrial park for the local manufacture of power equipment.
The Chinese engagements also cover accelerated development of the East-West Super Grid, the Omotosho-Epe transmission line, cable supply and local assembly, a 300MW distributed renewable-energy programme and waste-to-energy pilot projects.
Tegbe said the government was also working with Huawei on grid digitalisation, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and technical training.
He said the objective was to ensure that foreign partnerships translated into bankable projects and completed infrastructure capable of delivering measurable improvements to the power system.
The minister’s disclosure comes against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s wider effort to restore financial stability to the electricity market, including the mobilisation of ₦1.23 trillion through two bond issuances to settle verified legacy obligations owed to power generation companies
₦120bn Annual Leakage Blocked
Tegbe also disclosed that interventions along the Ikorodu-Sagamu industrial corridor were expected to block energy theft and related revenue leakages estimated at about ₦120 billion annually.
He said improved billing, collection and remittance remained critical to restoring the financial viability of the electricity market and ensuring that resources generated within the sector were available for continued investment.
The minister said the government was also preparing a new phase of investment in transmission infrastructure, including the proposed Transmission Super Grid and the East-West Grid, while exploring bilateral generation-distribution arrangements to improve the utilisation of existing power assets.
Mambila Project Gets Fresh Impetus
Tegbe said the government’s recent victory in the long-running arbitration over the Mambila hydropower project had removed a major obstacle to the development of the massive scheme in Taraba State.
An International Chamber of Commerce arbitration tribunal in Paris last week rejected claims totalling about $3.38 billion brought against Nigeria by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company in disputes connected with the project.
The minister said the government was now exploring a pragmatic, potentially phased approach to delivering the Mambila project, alongside smaller hydropower schemes that could serve agricultural and industrial corridors.
He identified the next phase of the government’s power programme as one focused on converting agreements and ongoing reforms into bankable projects, additional transmission capacity and infrastructure capable of supporting future electricity demand.
Among the priorities, he said, were the East-West Grid, the Transmission Super Grid, Mambila and small hydropower projects.
Tegbe said the government would also continue to pursue greater private-sector participation in the electricity market, insisting that new generation capacity must be matched by viable demand and infrastructure.
“An inch of improvement is better than a mile of intentions,” he said, quoting Steve Maraboli as he reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to reforming the power sector under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday night.
The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, confirmed the development to Channels Television.
Okorocha, who was arrested at REIZ Continental Hotel in central Abuja, was, however, released on bail by the NPF following an hour of interrogation over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
CSP Iniedu, who confirmed the arrest and subsequent release on bail to our correspondent, noted that the former governor was asked to return to the Force Headquarters on Tuesday for further interrogation as investigations into the allegations continue.
The arrest reportedly followed Okorocha’s failure to honour previous police invitations in connection with the ongoing investigation.
He was initially invited to the Force Headquarters on September 2, but the appointment was rescheduled to September 8 at the request of his lawyers, a date he reportedly failed to honour.
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been appointed a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council list released last night.
This is despite the fact that he is the National Leader of the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Similarly, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, the National Leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the opposition Accord Party (AP), are on the expanded and all-inclusive team headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Other members include Presidential Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, and former House of Representatives member Patrick Obahiagbon.
Also named as members are former Osun APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji, former National Legal Advisers Dr. Muiz Banire and Babatunde Ogala, Chief Ayiri Emami, Victor Giadom, Magnus Abe, and former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel.
The list, according to a report by The Nation, reflects inter-party cooperation and harmony based on the shared vision of propelling the country to the horizon of progress.
The report quoted a statement by APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, as saying that the campaign council will be inaugurated tomorrow in Abuja.
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has called for a thorough and impartial police investigation into the recent violence surrounding a political gathering in the state, assuring that anyone found responsible will face the law regardless of political affiliation.
Mbah, in an address to the people of Enugu State, expressed concern over reports of violence, particularly a shooting incident that left a citizen injured.
The governor said his immediate concern was the welfare of those injured, residents who experienced fear during the incident, and families affected by the violence.
He assured the victims and affected residents that their safety and well-being remained a priority for his administration.
“I know how much our people value the peace and security we have worked so hard to establish in Enugu. Incidents such as these cause anxiety and deserve our full attention,” the governor said.
Mbah stressed that every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, must be able to exercise their political rights without fear, intimidation or violence.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to protecting lives, upholding the law and ensuring that justice was served without favour.
The governor also stated that, in view of the preliminary findings regarding the incident, he expected the police to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.
According to him, anyone found culpable would be held accountable through the appropriate legal process, irrespective of their political connections.
“The Enugu State Government has made its position clear regarding allegations of involvement in this violence,” Mbah stated, reaffirming his administration’s responsibility to maintain peace and security across the state.
The incident has raised concerns over political tolerance and the safety of citizens participating in political activities in Enugu State.
The governor’s call for an impartial investigation underscores the need for the relevant security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the shooting and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
He concluded his address by thanking the people of Enugu State and praying for God’s continued blessings upon the state.
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