Lagos to enjoy 24/7 electricity supply soon –NDPHC boss

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

Lagos residents may soon begin to experience round-the-clock electricity supply as the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) signals readiness to play a central role in the state’s evolving electricity market and help bridge its massive supply shortfall.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Jennifer Adighije, said the company is positioned to significantly boost power availability in Lagos through strategic investments in generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, with the long-term goal of achieving stable 24/7 electricity supply.

She made this known during a weekend visit to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC), Mr. Temitope George, where both parties discussed opportunities for collaboration under Lagos’ emerging electricity market framework.

Adighije said NDPHC currently holds substantial “stranded” generation capacity that, if effectively harnessed, could transform electricity supply in Lagos and other parts of the country.

According to her, Lagos receives about 1,000 megawatts from the national grid, a figure far below the state’s estimated demand of about 12,000 megawatts, creating a wide supply gap that continues to constrain industrial growth, commercial activity and household consumption.

She noted that NDPHC is ready to contribute as much as 1,500 megawatts of additional supply to Lagos in the short to medium term, alongside investments in supporting infrastructure to ensure efficient delivery.

“Our mandate is fundamentally to scale up power generation with the associated transmission and distribution networks, and so we are uniquely positioned in the power sector because our mandate cuts across every sphere of the sector, from the gas-to-electricity value chain through generation, transmission and distribution,” she said.

Adighije explained that the company’s integrated structure gives it a strategic advantage in addressing Nigeria’s long-standing electricity challenges, particularly in high-demand markets like Lagos.

“Over the years, we have led power sector reforms and helped close infrastructure gaps, and that is what makes us the right candidate to partner with LASERC to drive access to electricity in Lagos,” she added.

She also highlighted the scale of NDPHC’s generation assets, describing the company as one of the largest in sub-Saharan Africa. While installed capacity stands at about 4,000 megawatts, she said actual daily dispatch remains significantly lower at between 400 and 500 megawatts due to constraints in transmission, gas supply and distribution bottlenecks.

“This clearly shows we have a lot of stranded capacity,” she said, stressing the urgency of unlocking idle assets to improve supply outcomes.

Citing recent data from the Lagos Electricity Market Report, Adighije noted that the state’s widening demand-supply gap presents both a challenge and an opportunity for investment-led solutions.

She added that NDPHC is particularly interested in supporting Lagos’ transition into a more decentralised and competitive electricity market, especially under the regulatory oversight of LASERC.

In a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations at NDPHC, Emmanuel Ojor, Adighije emphasised that the company is prepared to act quickly to close supply gaps and support Lagos’ ambition for reliable electricity.

She also described the Lagos electricity market as commercially attractive, noting that it presents a viable environment for sustainable investment and returns.

“The Lagos electricity market is a very lucrative and vibrant one. This is a market where we are willing to make huge investments. In the past, we made investments in the form of interventions. So, why would we not invest in a market where we have a clear line of sight to investment recovery?” she said.

Adighije further disclosed that NDPHC is willing to invest directly in transmission and distribution infrastructure within Lagos to ensure last-mile delivery of electricity, improve reliability, and reduce system losses.

“We are very keen to invest in transmission and distribution assets to ensure we can deliver quality, reliable and affordable electricity to the last mile,” she added.

She was accompanied on the visit by the company’s General Manager for Commercial and Business Development, Professor Stephen Ogaji, and used the opportunity to congratulate LASERC’s leadership on its regulatory role in shaping the new Lagos electricity market.

Responding, LASERC Managing Director, Mr. Temitope George, reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to improving electricity access and strengthening power infrastructure across the state.

He welcomed NDPHC’s interest in deeper collaboration, describing the company as a key player in Nigeria’s power sector with significant investments already in Lagos.

“We are excited to have NDPHC here, one of the largest power-generating companies in Nigeria. We have seen that they have already made significant investments in Lagos, and we know there are still infrastructure gaps,” he said.

George added that LASERC’s regulatory agenda includes ensuring that selected franchise areas within Lagos begin to enjoy near-constant electricity supply as part of broader reforms aimed at improving service delivery.

“Recently, during our maiden stakeholders’ session, we stated that part of our regulatory agenda is to ensure some franchise areas within Lagos enjoy 24/7 power supply. With the NDPHC MD’s visit today and the company’s willingness to partner with Lagos to provide power and invest in infrastructure, we are confident that Lagos residents will begin to see 24/7 electricity supply in the near future,” he said.

With ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s power sector and increased private-sector participation at the subnational level, the partnership between NDPHC and LASERC is expected to play a significant role in reshaping electricity supply dynamics in Lagos, a state that remains the country’s largest commercial hub and highest energy consumer.