Mambila, 21 dams to drive Nigeria’s 20,000MW power target – Minister

File photo: Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe

The Federal Government is targeting electricity generation of up to 20,000 megawatts, moving beyond its long-standing 10,000MW ambition, as it seeks private investment and new hydropower projects to address Nigeria’s persistent power supply challenges.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this during a television interview, saying several generation projects in the pipeline could take the country’s capacity towards the new target.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Tegbe said the government was engaging investors and development partners to accelerate the projects, adding that Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, had expressed commitment to supporting the 20,000MW ambition.

The statement read, “The Federal Government is advancing plans to significantly expand Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity, with projects capable of taking output towards 20,000 megawatts as part of a broader strategy to deliver stable electricity and support the country’s economic growth.

“A major component of the government’s generation expansion strategy is the development of the Mambila Hydropower Project, which has the potential to generate approximately 3,000 megawatts of electricity.

“The government is equally advancing plans to develop small hydropower resources across the country. A policy on small hydropower was nearing completion, while 21 dams had been identified along the proposed Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway for potential development.”

According to the Minister, the administration is moving beyond the longstanding national conversation around achieving 10,000 megawatts, with several generation projects in the pipeline that could take the country’s capacity towards 20,000 megawatts.

He, however, acknowledged that Nigerians would need to give the government time to deliver stable electricity, citing the scale of investment and infrastructure development required to reverse decades of underinvestment in the sector.

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“Give me a time horizon of three to five years, and Nigeria will enjoy stable electricity,” the minister said.

A major component of the expansion plan is the Mambila Hydropower Project, which has the potential to generate about 3,000MW.

Tegbe said President Bola Tinubu had directed him to engage northern states to ensure their participation and ownership in the project.

He added that Chinese companies had indicated interest in supporting its development, with potential financing from China Exim Bank in collaboration with Sinohydro.

The government is also considering smaller hydropower projects, with 21 dams identified along the proposed Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway for possible development.

According to the minister, a policy on small hydropower is nearing completion, while the President has approved the development of the identified dams. Discussions are also ongoing with prospective investors.