The Federal Government has commenced work on five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts in Oyo State, as the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, ruled out plans to increase electricity tariffs.
The projects are expected to improve electricity supply to communities across Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas, reducing dependence on petrol and diesel generators while supporting businesses and economic activities.
Tegbe announced the projects at their groundbreaking ceremony, describing the initiative as part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to expand electricity access and improve power supply across the country.
The five projects are the Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-Elega interconnected mini-grids. They are supported by a battery energy storage system with a stated capacity of 17.74 megawatts.
According to the minister, the projects are expected to provide more reliable electricity to households and businesses, extend operating hours for enterprises and create opportunities for investment and job creation in the beneficiary communities.
He said the initiative reflected the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and highlighted similar electricity interventions supported by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in communities across Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa and Kaduna states.
Tegbe acknowledged the contributions of the REA, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the project developer, the World Bank, which provided financing, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
He also commended the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of the host communities for their cooperation. The minister specifically acknowledged the support of the Olubadan of Ibadanland towards the project.
Addressing concerns about a possible increase in electricity tariffs, Tegbe said the Federal Government had no plan to raise rates, describing reports suggesting otherwise as misinformation.
He said the government’s priority was to improve electricity supply towards achieving round-the-clock power, beginning with three proposed energy zones: the Lagos-Ogun corridor, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, and the Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
The minister said the government also planned to strengthen the national grid across the eastern and western corridors to improve the stability and reliability of electricity supply beyond the initial zones.
He identified strategic generation and transmission locations, including Funtua, Kainji, Gwagwalada, Gombe, Makurdi, Ajaokuta, Ikot Ekpene, Benin and Egbin, as part of the broader network-strengthening effort.
According to him, the objective is to extend more reliable electricity supply across the country and make 24-hour power a national reality.
Tegbe formally flagged off the five mini-grid projects on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing optimism that their completion would improve livelihoods and expand economic opportunities for residents.
He described the projects as an example of collaboration between government, private-sector operators and development partners to address Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges.
