By: Tunji Okunlola
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced plans to raise electricity supply in the state to over 3,000 megawatts (MW) by March 2027, up from less than 1,000MW at present.
The initiative is part of the state government’s efforts to end persistent power outages and build a 24-hour electricity economy to support businesses, industries and other economic activities.
The governor disclosed on Saturday 10th October 2026, at the Fourth Lagos Business School Africa Energy Conference (AEC 2026), held at the Honeywell Auditorium, Lagos Business School, along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. He was represented by his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
Plan to Mobilise Additional 2,000MW
Sanwo-Olu said the state was working to mobilise an additional 2,000MW through several channels, including national grid resources, independent power projects, energy hubs, power barges, energy traders and embedded generation.
“Our ambition is to move from below 1,000MW today to well above 3,000MW by March 2027, while continuing to build towards the larger requirements of the Lagos economy,” he said.
He explained that achieving the target would require coordinated improvements across the electricity value chain, including generation, transmission, distribution, gas supply and metering.
Seven-Point Action Plan
The governor outlined a seven-point plan focusing on:
- Making the Lagos Electricity Market fully functional
- Increasing power generation
- Strengthening distribution capacity
- Reinforcing transmission infrastructure
- Improving electricity networks and metering
- Securing gas-to-power arrangements
- Enhancing information technology and market visibility
He added that the government was strengthening the state’s transmission network, upgrading substations and distribution feeders, and expanding metering coverage to reduce estimated billing and improve service delivery.
According to him, the state is also working to set clear contractual obligations, improve coordination among market operators and regulators, and create a commercially viable environment to attract private investment.
Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of reliable gas supply to power plants, alongside digital technologies such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and the Lagos Electricity Intelligence Platform. He said these would improve monitoring, accountability and transparency in the market.
Solar Projects
On renewable energy, the governor said the state had completed the solarisation of about 42,000 of the approximately 50,000 streetlights earmarked for the project. Solar installations have also been completed in 175 public schools, with work ongoing in another 100.
He urged investors, financial institutions, energy operators and development partners to work with the state government to meet its electricity goals, noting that reliable power was essential to industrial growth, job creation, business competitiveness and better living standards. The government, he said, was now focused on disciplined implementation and measurable results.
Shell Calls for Reform Implementation
Speaking at the conference, Ronald Adams, Vice President, Deepwater Assets, and Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), called for effective implementation of Nigeria’s energy sector reforms to attract investment, accelerate oil and gas development and improve energy access.
Adams said the country’s oil and gas resources could drive industrialisation and strengthen energy security if backed by competitive fiscal policies, regulatory certainty, efficient project approvals and disciplined execution.
He noted that Nigeria’s estimated 37 billion barrels of oil and condensate reserves and more than 250 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves present significant opportunities, but cautioned that natural resources alone would not guarantee prosperity.
Reaffirming Shell’s commitment to Nigeria, he said natural gas must play a central role in power generation, manufacturing and industrial development, and that the country’s energy future depended on turning its resources into reliable power, productive industries and shared prosperity.
Organisers Speak
President of the Lagos Business School Energy Club, Sebilat Quadri, said the conference was designed as a platform for policymakers, financiers, investors, operators, academics and other stakeholders to discuss issues shaping Nigeria’s energy future. She said the theme reflected the need to turn the country’s energy potential into bankable projects, mobilised capital, critical infrastructure and measurable economic impact.
Earlier, the Dean of Lagos Business School, Prof. Olayinka David-West, stressed the importance of reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to Nigeria’s economic growth, industrial development and investment prospects. She urged stakeholders to take a holistic approach to the sector’s persistent challenges, particularly in policy, infrastructure, financing and market development.
Discover more from CLARITYNEWSNG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
