Paul Akpan owns a small dry cleaning company in the bustling city of Lagos, but his business is struggling to survive due to Nigeria’s crippling power crisis. The cost of powering his generator has increased since the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023, impacting his chances of survival.
While Akpan was lamenting in Lagos, Habibu Shuaibu, a tailor in Gombe State, was also suffering the same fate. The tailor, who owns a shop at the Gombe Old Market, is struggling to keep his business afloat due to the hike in fuel prices and poor power supply.
According to him in an interview with Daily Trust, tailors in the region are on the verge of shutting down because they “cannot afford to run sewing machines on generators.” Apart from entrepreneurs, millions of average Nigerians are battling the threat posed by the country’s epileptic power supply.
According to the Tracking SDG7 Energy Progress Report 2024, 86 million Nigerians do not have access to grid electricity, making Nigeria the country with the highest electricity access deficit in the world. The Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) also reported that 40 per cent of Primary Health Centers in Nigeria lack a steady electricity supply.
These are more than ordinary statistics— they represent the number of pregnant women who couldn’t deliver safely, the number of patients who couldn’t receive critical care, and the countless nights Nigerians have slept in darkness due to an unstable power.
It’s no wonder the economy continues to wobble. Small-scale businesses keep shutting down, and there are unending hunger cries in the nooks and crannies of the country. However, a glimmer of hope emerged in March 2025 when The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced a new power generation peak in a single evening.
What’s the latest power generation milestone, and what does it mean for average Nigerians and their businesses? This article will answer these questions and discuss everything you should know about the sector’s power generation capacity.
What Is The New Power Generation Record All About?
On March 4, 2025, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced via its official X handle that the Nigeria power sector recorded a new peak generation of 5,713.60 megawatts (MW) on Sunday (March 2) around 9:30 p.m.
In the tweet, the company stated that the latest milestone was 170.40MW higher than the previous peak generation of 5,543.20MW on February 14.
TCN further stated that the sector set another record on Monday (March 3, 2025) when it generated a maximum daily energy of 125,542.06 megawatt-hours (MWh), surpassing the 125,159.48MWh achieved on February 14.
New Power Generation Peak: Where Does It Rank In All-Time Top Record?
Though this is the best we’ve seen in four years, it’s not the all-time best mark. So, where does it stand in the record book? Let’s find out.
In March 2018, the sector recorded one of its highest average daily power generation when it produced 4,079MW. Three years later, the record was displaced when the TCN announced a massive 5,801.60MW power generation in 2021.
Meanwhile, an impressive surge in power generation on February 14, 2025, saw the sector produce 5,543.20MW. The 5,713.60MW generated on Monday was 88MW short of equalling the 2021 record. Hence, this is the second-highest power generation in history.
Below is a comprehensive table containing the top four power generation peaks in Nigeria’s history.
| Rank | Power Generated (MW) | Date |
| 1st | 5,801.60 | March, 1, 2021 |
| 2nd | 5,713.60 | March, 2, 2025 |
| 3rd | 5,543.20 | February, 14, 2025 |
| 4th | 4,079 | March, 2018 |
New Power Generation Peak: How It Was Achieved
- Privatisation Reforms
The journey to achieving this lofty milestone started in 2013 when the federal government privatised the power sector. As part of his desire to provide steady electricity, former president Goodluck Jonathan handed the responsibility of generating and distributing power to private companies known as Generation Companies (GenCos) and Distribution Companies (DisCos).
The GenCos generate electricity; the government-owned Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) transmits electricity, while DisCos distribute the electricity to final consumers. Thanks to the partnership, the two private parties discussed with the government and made multiple reforms, leading to these achievements.
Speaking through his aide, the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, revealed that the recent impressive results in the sector were due to some reforms implemented, especially the tariff structure.
“The results seen so far have been due to a partial implementation of the reforms in the sector, and based on this trajectory, we will see further improvements in the sector,” he said.
- Recent Tariff Reviews
On July 3, 2024, Ikeja Distribution Company reviewed the tariff for Band A from N206 to N209 per kilowatt hour, effective July 1. Meanwhile, in May 2024, all DisCos implemented a downward review of tariffs for Band A customers from N225 to N206 following its increase to N225 per kilowatt hour in April 2024.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria, Band B customers who receive 16 to 18 hours of electricity daily pay N63 per kWh, while Band A customers who receive an additional 2 to 6 hours pay N209 per kWh.
- Financial Aid
Meanwhile, financial aid from foreign organisations also played a significant role. In 2021, the Federal Government secured $500 million in financial support from the World Bank to boost the sector.
In the same vein, the West African giant secured a $500 million loan from the African Development Bank in 2024 to improve electricity infrastructure and reduce the over-reliance on grid electricity.
Another significant intervention is the World Bank’s $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project, to name just a few recent interventions in the sector.
Regional Impacts of the Power Generation Milestone
The impact of this new power generation record varies significantly across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Power sector analysts believe urban centres in the southwest, particularly Lagos and Ibadan, will likely see the most immediate benefits due to their more developed distribution infrastructure.
The Northeast may see less impact due to transmission constraints, while the middle belt might experience moderate impact for similar reasons. As for the South-South region, they are tipped to see the least impact due to poor distribution networks.
What Does It Mean to Average Nigerians, Economy, And Businesses?
Nigerians will enjoy more power supply if the sector maintains and steadily increases the newfound generation capacity. Daily life will improve to a large extent as many households in rural and urban areas will access more electricity and boost their productivity.
Similarly, the new generation peak promises a drastic reduction in reliance on generators as there will be more electricity for consumption.
This will eventually lead to a reduced cost of living because Nigerians will spend less on generators to power their homes and businesses. It will also have a massive impact on other sectors, including education, health, and transportation.
Foreign investors will be more eager to do business in Nigeria, while local businesses will thrive with lower operational costs. Small and medium enterprises will have better growth opportunities, while more prominent brands will have a higher propensity to save.
When these happen, the economy will inevitably improve, with more jobs and higher industrial productivity.
New Power Generation Peak: Nigerians’ Reaction
While every digit is relevant to experts in the power sector, many Nigerians were less concerned about the numbers —they just wanted a steady electricity supply to run their businesses.
Unsurprisingly, their reactions left much to be desired. Ibrahim Tafida said the update is “Symbolic” and “doesn’t make sense,” while Sahel Park believes “A country of over 200m people shouldn’t be celebrating a paltry 5,543MW.”
Some described the latest milestone as “pathetic”, while others said it’s “laughable.” Judging from their comments and reactions on Social media, it’s obvious Nigerians expect more from the sector.
They are unsatisfied with the amount of power generated and distributed across the country, as their primary source of income largely depends on it.
Can The Sector Maintain The New Feat?
While many Nigerians would love for the sector to build on the recent success, it’s unfortunate that the odds are slim, judging by previous records and trends, particularly the sector’s inconsistent power generation capacity for years.
What Does The Future Hold For Nigeria’s Power Sector?
The last ten years have seen a massive increase in the use of renewable energy due to poor access to grid electricity. Experts expect the trend to continue as Nigerians explore alternative ways to keep their businesses afloat.
Government policies and projects — like the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) and the Climate Change Act of 2021 — have also boosted the adoption of renewable energy. Should the government and stakeholders build on the recent power generation successes, it won’t be out of place to predict a bright future for Nigeria’s power sector.
Conclusion
Though the new power generation record of 5,713.60MW is a significant step forward for Nigeria, it remains insufficient for a population of over 200 million. Nonetheless, it represents a positive trend that could signal better days for the power sector.
This milestone offers a glimmer of hope for Paul Akpan, Habibu Shuaibu, and millions of other Nigerians whose livelihoods depend on reliable electricity. However, the objective measure of success will be whether this generation capacity can be maintained consistently and distributed effectively across all regions of the country.
The question is, can the sector achieve this? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments.