Mambila Project, 21 Dams to Drive Nigeria’s 20,000MW Electricity Target – Minister
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to increase Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity to 20,000 megawatts (MW), with the Mambila Hydropower Project and 21 identified dams expected to play key roles in achieving the target.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this during a television interview, noting that the government was engaging private investors and development partners to accelerate electricity generation projects across the country.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, the Mambila Hydropower Project is expected to contribute approximately 3,000MW to the national grid when completed.
The minister also revealed that 21 dams along the proposed Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway had been identified for potential small hydropower development, while a national policy on small hydropower was nearing completion.
Tegbe said Chinese companies had expressed interest in supporting the Mambila project, with potential financing from China Exim Bank in collaboration with Sinohydro.
He added that President Bola Tinubu had directed him to engage northern state governments to secure their participation and ownership of the project.
The minister said the government was moving beyond its longstanding 10,000MW electricity ambition, with several projects expected to push generation capacity towards 20,000MW.
He appealed to Nigerians to give the administration three to five years to deliver stable electricity, citing the massive investments and infrastructure development required to address decades of challenges in the power sector.
The government said the expansion plan would attract private investment, strengthen electricity supply and support Nigeria’s economic growth.
