The Federal Government of Nigeria has set an ambitious target of achieving 8,000 megawatts of electricity generation and transmission by the end of 2027. This announcement was made by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, during the launch of the Renewable Energy Assets Management Company (RAMCO) in Abuja, an initiative spearheaded by the Rural Electrification Agency.

Minister Tegbe highlighted that the government aims to reach 6,500MW by the end of 2026, although he acknowledged the current challenges in the sector, stating that Nigeria is presently only able to wheel approximately 5,000MW of electricity. "We are struggling to wheel 5,000MW today. My target is that by the end of this year, we’ll confidently be wheeling 6,500MW. By the end of next year, we will be wheeling conveniently 8,000MW," Tegbe remarked.

Expressing optimism about the future of electricity supply in Nigeria, Tegbe indicated that recent improvements are just the beginning of a broader transformation in the power sector. He pointed out the paradox of Nigeria's rich energy resources juxtaposed with its electricity supply challenges, stating, "Nigeria has lived too long with an embarrassing paradox. We’re very rich in power assets, energy resources, and installed infrastructure, yet we’re poor in the ability to depend on electricity."

The launch of RAMCO is intended to revolutionize the management and sustainability of renewable energy infrastructure in Nigeria. Tegbe explained that the initiative would not only focus on renewable energy but would also encompass the entire electricity grid. He emphasized the need for a new model that prioritizes professional management, sustainability, and performance measurement.

The Minister elaborated on the government's plans to create a more versatile electricity system that integrates various energy sources, including grid supply and distributed renewable energy. He mentioned that mini-grids would be deployed in areas lacking transmission infrastructure, enhancing access to electricity in underserved regions. "Wherever we don’t have transmission lines, we will fill it up with mini-grids going forward," he stated.

Tegbe underscored the broader objective of the government's initiatives, which is to ensure that improvements in electricity infrastructure translate into economic growth, particularly benefiting sectors like manufacturing and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data centers. He noted, "Our ambition is much bigger than just ending darkness. Our ambition is to use electricity to build prosperity, to make Nigeria competitive for manufacturing and to power the next generation of digital infrastructure."

In his remarks, Tegbe also stressed the importance of reliability and sustainability in electricity supply, stating that RAMCO's success will be measured not only by the amount of power generated but also by the reliability of that power. He commended Abba Aliyu, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, for his efforts in driving the initiative forward. Aliyu, in turn, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support in energizing universities and teaching hospitals across the country.

The government's focus on enhancing Nigeria's electricity generation capacity is seen as a crucial step towards improving the overall quality of life for citizens and fostering economic development in the nation.