Nigeria targets 70,000MW by 2060 as generator costs weigh on homes, businesses

The Federal Government plans to raise Nigeria’s electricity generation to 70,000 megawatts by 2060, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe said on Tuesday at the 13th Nigeria Energy Leadership Summit in Lagos. The target is part of a long-term plan to expand power infrastructure and meet rising demand, even as actual generation remains below 5,000MW.

Nigeria has installed generation capacity of more than 13,000MW, but actual output is below 5,000MW. Tegbe acknowledged the gap between current supply and the 70,000MW target but said the country must prepare for demand driven by industrialisation, technology and data centres.

Grid and hydropower plans

The government plans to strengthen the national grid through the proposed East-West Grid programme, which is expected to improve power delivery along major economic corridors. It is also exploring smaller hydropower projects to complement large-scale generation. Tegbe said 21 dams along the Sokoto-Badagry Expressway had been identified for possible development into hydropower facilities.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the government to rehabilitate the dams and explore their potential for electricity generation, according to the minister. The government also plans to pursue the Mambilla hydropower project as part of the broader strategy to increase supply. Tegbe said smaller hydropower facilities could support agricultural production, processing centres and communities along key economic corridors. Such projects could improve electricity access for rural businesses, reduce operating costs and support job creation.

Coordination across corridors

Tegbe said the Federal Government would work with state governments, regulators and private electricity operators to coordinate projects and improve supply across the three identified corridors. He maintained that Nigeria’s current electricity challenges should not stop the country from pursuing its long-term energy ambitions.

The minister also linked the plan to global expansion of artificial intelligence and data centres, which is raising electricity demand and making power infrastructure investment essential for economic growth. He said the government remained committed to the 70-gigawatt target by 2060.

What it means for consumers

For consumers, the immediate concern remains access to reliable and affordable electricity. Many households spend extra money on petrol-powered generators, while businesses rely on diesel generators to keep operations running. That adds to production costs and the prices of goods and services.

With the 70,000MW target nearly 34 years away, the test for Nigerians will be whether the initiatives translate into fewer outages, more hours of electricity, lower dependence on generators and reduced energy expenses.