The Federal Government has commenced construction of five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts in Oyo State, while dismissing reports of a planned electricity tariff increase. The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, announced this during the groundbreaking ceremony, saying the projects would improve electricity access and support economic activities in beneficiary communities.
The projects are located in Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas. They comprise the Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-Elega interconnected mini-grids, supported by a 17.74-megawatt battery energy storage system designed to improve power supply and reliability.
According to the minister, the initiative forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is expected to improve electricity access for households and businesses, reduce dependence on generators and extend working hours. The government also expects the projects to create opportunities for investment and job creation across the benefiting communities.
Tegbe acknowledged the contributions of the Rural Electrification Agency, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the World Bank and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company. He also commended the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents for their support, particularly recognising the role of the Olubadan of Ibadanland. He added that similar interventions had been implemented in Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa and Kaduna states.
Addressing concerns over electricity tariffs, the minister urged Nigerians to disregard reports of an impending increase, insisting that the government’s priority was to improve power supply and work towards round-the-clock electricity. He also identified three proposed energy corridors aimed at improving electricity availability: Lagos-Ogun, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt.
The mini-grid projects are expected to strengthen electricity supply in the selected Oyo communities and reduce the burden of relying on generators. The government said collaboration between public institutions, private companies and development partners remained important to addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
