The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced plans to strengthen the national grid through the reconstruction and upgrade of the 138-kilometre Alaoji–Onitsha 330kV transmission line.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement on Monday, the company said it has commenced implementation of a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), including the acquisition and clearing of the Right of Way (RoW) for the project, which is being executed in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The project will convert the existing single-circuit line into a 330kV double-circuit quad-conductor transmission line, a move expected to significantly boost grid capacity and efficiency.
Compensation for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) was carried out between March 31 and April 2, 2026, across sections of the transmission corridor in Abia and Imo states, covering eight local government areas.
Aromeh Adole, assistant general manager (health, safety, and environment) for the AfDB Project Implementation Unit, said affected residents have been given a 90-day grace period to vacate the RoW following payment of compensation.
Highlighting the impact of the project, Adole said: “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.”
He added that the upgrade is expected to be completed within 18 months.
Also speaking, Edeh Obiora Alexander, acting project manager for the Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project (NTEP-1), commended TCN’s management and the federal government for enabling progress on the project.
He specifically praised Sule Abdulaziz for leadership and Bola Tinubu for approving the release of funds, noting that counterpart funding ensured prompt compensation for affected persons.
Alexander said the upgrade would increase electricity transmission capacity, improve supply to the Alaoji and Port Harcourt axes, Abia State, and the wider South-East region, while reducing transmission losses and enhancing grid reliability.
The project forms part of TCN’s broader strategy to expand the national grid and deliver more stable power to industrial and residential centres nationwide.
The development comes amid wider reforms in Nigeria’s power sector, including a ₦3.3 trillion debt settlement plan approved by President Tinubu to address long-standing liabilities.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the government said the plan followed a review of legacy debts accumulated under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme between February 2015 and March 2025.
“Following verification, ₦3.3 trillion has been agreed as a full and final settlement, ensuring a fair and transparent resolution,” the statement read.
According to the government, 15 power generation companies have already signed settlement agreements worth ₦2.3 trillion, while ₦501 billion has been raised so far, with ₦223 billion already disbursed.
The upgrade also comes against the backdrop of recurring grid failures. In late January 2026, the national grid collapsed twice within five days, with power generation dropping to near zero megawatts.
The outages, recorded on January 23 and January 27, were linked to aging infrastructure, generation constraints, and system disturbances affecting the grid.
