The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced efforts to expand the national grid with the reconstruction and upgrade of the 138-kilometre Alaoji–Onitsha 330kV transmission line.
In a statement issued on Monday, the company said the project—being executed in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB)—has entered the implementation phase of its Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), including the acquisition and clearing of the Right of Way (RoW).
Upon completion, the existing single-circuit line will be upgraded to a 330kV double-circuit quad-conductor transmission line, a move expected to significantly enhance transmission capacity and operational efficiency. The upgrade is projected to increase power transmission along the corridor by up to four times its current capacity.
As part of preparatory activities, compensation was paid to Project Affected Persons (PAPs) between March 31 and April 2, 2026, across eight Local Government Areas in Abia and Imo states. According to Aromeh Adole, Assistant General Manager (Health, Safety and Environment) for the AfDB Project Implementation Unit, beneficiaries have been given a 90-day grace period to vacate the RoW.
“The existing line is a single circuit, while the new line will deliver four times that capacity, fundamentally transforming bulk power delivery in the South East,” Adole said, adding that the project is expected to be completed within 18 months.
Also speaking, Acting Project Manager for the Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project (NTEP-1), Edeh Obiora Alexander, said the Federal Government provided counterpart funding to ensure prompt and adequate compensation for affected communities. He commended the leadership of TCN and the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for facilitating the project.
Alexander noted that the upgrade would improve electricity supply to key areas including the Alaoji and Port Harcourt corridors, Abia State, and the wider South-East region. He added that the transition to double-circuit quad conductors would reduce transmission losses and strengthen grid reliability.
The project forms part of TCN’s broader strategy to modernise Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure and deliver more stable electricity to both industrial and residential consumers nationwide.
The development comes amid ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s power sector, including the Federal Government’s approval of a ₦3.3 trillion plan to settle long-standing debts. The initiative, disclosed by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, follows a review of liabilities accumulated between 2015 and 2025 under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme.
According to the government, agreements worth ₦2.3 trillion have already been signed with 15 generation companies, while ₦223 billion has been disbursed from the ₦501 billion raised so far.
The upgrade also comes against the backdrop of persistent grid instability. Nigeria experienced multiple grid collapses in January 2026, including two major incidents on January 23 and 27 that resulted in nationwide outages. Experts attribute such disruptions to aging infrastructure, generation shortfalls, and system disturbances.
Analysts say investments in transmission upgrades such as the Alaoji–Onitsha project will be critical to improving grid resilience and supporting long-term economic growth.
