The Federal Government is working with electricity distribution companies to establish dedicated 24-hour power supply zones in major commercial and industrial centres across Nigeria.
The proposed initiative is designed to improve electricity reliability for households, businesses and industries while enabling DisCos to maximise the power available to them and strengthen their delivery networks.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed the plan during a strategic meeting with the management of selected electricity distribution companies on the proposed energy zones.
Under the initial phase, the government plans to focus on three major economic corridors: Lagos; Abuja-Kaduna-Kano; and Enugu-Port Harcourt.
Tegbe said improving electricity generation and transmission alone would not resolve the country’s power challenges, stressing that distribution remained a critical part of the sector.
According to him, the ability of DisCos to receive available electricity and distribute it efficiently to consumers was central to improving power supply.
The minister said the proposed zones would help tackle distribution bottlenecks in areas with strong electricity demand, particularly locations with significant commercial and industrial activity.
He added that the initiative could also help unlock demand for electricity while improving the revenue and collection performance of DisCos.
Tegbe reaffirmed the Federal Government’s intention to expand and strengthen electricity infrastructure in areas where demand is high, saying infrastructure development must keep pace with the requirements of a growing economy.
He said the engagement with the DisCos formed part of the ‘disciplined and sequenced approach’ to resolving the challenges confronting the power sector, which he had committed to upon assuming office.
The initiative is also being implemented under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with the Ministry of Power linking reliable electricity supply to economic expansion, industrialisation and job creation.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group.
The ministry said further discussions would be held on the infrastructure, commercial and operational requirements needed to establish and sustain the proposed 24-hour electricity zones.
The proposed arrangement is therefore expected to focus not only on making more electricity available, but also on ensuring that power can be effectively moved through distribution networks to consumers in areas where demand is highest.