Lagos plans 24/7 power supply with 3,500MW target

Lagos State and the Federal Government have unveiled plans to raise electricity supply in Lagos to about 3,500 megawatts (MW) as part of renewed efforts to tackle persistent blackouts and power the state’s growing economy. The plan was announced at the Lagos State High-Level Strategic Power Town Hall Meeting held at Lagos House, Marina, where government officials, regulators and industry operators agreed that reliable electricity is essential to sustaining Lagos’ economic and industrial growth.

Representing the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, the ministry’s Director of Distribution Services, Baba Mustapha, said Lagos requires more than 6,000MW to fully meet its electricity demand. He noted that the state currently receives only a fraction of that requirement from the national grid, making additional investments across the electricity value chain critical.

Investment beyond generation

Mustapha stressed that increasing power generation would not be enough without simultaneous investments in gas supply, transmission, distribution infrastructure and metering. He disclosed that Lagos had already secured 400MW from private power producers, while urging the state to explore gas-fired, embedded and renewable energy sources to expand available electricity.

According to him, the 3,500MW target would require coordinated action across generation, transmission and distribution to ensure that additional power actually reaches consumers.

Sanwo-Olu calls for coordination

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu called for stronger coordination among stakeholders, alongside improvements in smart metering, data management, regulatory enforcement and revenue assurance. He said these measures would help rebuild consumer confidence, improve electricity service delivery and create conditions capable of attracting sustained private investment into the sector.

Sanwo-Olu also proposed that stakeholders reconvene within five to six months to assess progress and review the implementation of commitments reached at the meeting.

Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Abiodun Ogunleye, said the state government was determined to end what he described as the “culture of blackout” in Lagos. Ogunleye said Lagos currently receives less than one gigawatt of electricity from the national grid, despite the Transmission Company of Nigeria having about 3.5GW of wheeling capacity.

He explained that the immediate objective is to add about 2GW to existing supply, bringing available electricity closer to 3.5GW. The additional capacity, he said, would enable more feeders to supply homes, businesses and industries across Lagos.

What it means for Lagos businesses

For Nigeria’s commercial powerhouse, hitting the 3,500MW target could mark a major turning point in the battle against persistent power shortages. A more reliable supply would cut costs for businesses, support industries and households, and reduce dependence on the inadequate national grid.

In a related development, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to gradually eliminate electricity subsidy and implement cost-reflective tariffs across Nigeria's power sector, while assuring that low-income and vulnerable households will receive targeted support. The assurance was given by the Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure, Sadiq Wanka, during the Asharami Square 3.0 event organised by Sahara Group in Lagos on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The event was themed "Energising Africa's Future: Legacy, Impact, and Transformation."