By Chidera Orji

In the drive to boost power supply in the country especially in Kano and Katsina states and their environs, the Minister of Power, Engr. Joseph Olasukanmi Tegbe, has commissioned five transmission substation projects in Kano and Katsina States.

The Minister also used the opportunity and inspected the ongoing GIS substation in Katsina.

The events which were held on Thursday, 22nd and Friday, 23rd October, 2026 respectively in Kano and Katsina states, saw the commissioned projects adding a total of 240MW at 330kV level and 376MW at the 132kV level to the nation’s transmission network, thereby boosting bulk power supply in the North Eastern axis.

In Katsina State, the Minister commissioned two 60MVA power transformers at the Kankia Transmission Substation, increasing its installed capacity by 150 per cent, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 120MVA transmission substation comprising two 60MVA transformers, and also inspected ongoing works at the new 200MVA GIS substation at the 330kV Katsina Substation.

Speaking during the projects commissioning at Kankia Substation, Tegbe said the installation of the two 60MVA, power transformers increased the substation’s installed capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, equivalent to 120MW substations capacity, noting that the projects are a testament to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the determination to reset the power sector as a foundation for national development.

While performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the 120MVA transmission substation, at Mashi the Minister noted that upon completion, the project will provide additional 120MVA, equivalent to 96MW, to strengthen supply to Mashi and neighbouring communities.

Tegbe noted that issues associated with wayleave and compensation for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) have been resolved, adding that the groundbreaking signifies the official commencement of construction works.

“Today, we break ground in Mashi with a clear purpose, which is to build electricity infrastructure that supports livelihoods and gives this community greater room to grow,” he said.

While acknowledging the World Bank for projects funding, the minister noted that the Katsina projects were delivered by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria, with the aim of strengthening electricity transmission infrastructure and improving bulk power supply across Katsina State.

Speaking, during the projects commissioning, the MDCEO, TCN Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, said that the new projects added new capacities to the transmission network while addressing capacity limitations, noting that the works also involved modernization of the control room to digital control and protection panels, expansion of the 33kV busbar and installation of additional outgoing feeders.

The 96MW Mashi project he said, will further “strengthen bulk power delivery to Mashi and neighboring communities, improve voltage performance, and provide room to accommodate future growth in electricity demand.

Abdulaziz noted that as the Transmission Service Provider, TCN remains committed to developing and maintaining the transmission infrastructure required to convey bulk electricity to distribution companies for onward delivery to consumers. “We will continue to work with NISO, KEDCO and other stakeholders to ensure a more reliable and efficient electricity supply chain”, he added.

Earlier in Kano State, on Thursday, 22nd October, 2026, Engr. Tegbe commissioned the new Walalambe, Transmission Substation comprising two units of 40MVA, transformers. At Kumbotso Transmission Substation, new 300MVA and 100MVA, power transformers were commissioned by the honorable minister, while one number 100MVA, power transformers were commissioned in Dakata Substation as well as in Dan Agundi Transmission Substation respectively.

According to him, the task before the Ministry of Power is to provide infrastructure that allows enterprise to flourish. “With these projects just inaugurated, the Federal Government has opened a new route for bulk electricity to reach the industrial and commercial corridors where investment, production and employment depend on it. This is significant for the communities and for the wider Kano electricity network as it creates a new supply point and relieves pressure on existing facilities,” he said.

The Minister also highlighted the provision of a dedicated 33kV feeder to Lee Group of Companies, which had operated off-grid for more than 30 years. He said connecting the company to the national grid demonstrated the importance of transmission infrastructure in supporting industrial development.

He disclosed that he had directed the Ministry to prioritise the development of three energy zones to promote balanced electricity supply across the country, and pledged to work with the Kano State Government and relevant power sector stakeholders to harmonise interventions and avoid duplication.

He commended Transmission Company of Nigeria and the World Bank for their contributions and appealed to host communities to protect the facilities from vandalism. In his words, “Please help us protect this infrastructure and ensure our vigilance is stronger than ever, to fight the challenge of infrastructure vandalism across the country,” he said.

Tegbe noted that the Kano projects has further strengthened bulk electricity supply to Kano’s industrial, commercial and residential areas by relieving overloaded substations and creating room to meet previously suppressed demand. The present administration, he said is undertaking several power projects to boost electricity supply to ensure that every Nigerian has access to electricity and assured that the government will continue to do all that is required to make this possible.

The Managing Director of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects commissioned, reflect the company’s commitment to further expanding the nation’s transmission network and noted that similar completed and ongoing projects are distributed nationwide.

In his words, “Across the six geopolitical zones, TCN will continue to pursue the expansion of transmission infrastructure, the rehabilitation of existing facilities and the modernization of critical equipment. These efforts are directed at strengthening the national transmission network and supporting the Federal Government’s power sector development objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said. He appealed to communities to protect national assets, respect transmission Right-of-Way corridors and report suspicious activities.

By Ikenna Okoli

Globacom on Wednesday drew the curtain on the 2026 Ofala Festival with a Royal Banquet in honour of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi.

The elegant event, which was attended by the monarch, cabinet chiefs, Glo trade partners and high net-worth customers, marked the grand finale of the festival sponsored by the telecommunications and digital solutions company

Mike Ehumadu, Globacom’s Divisional Head, South East, said that, by hosting the event, the company underscored the enduring value of partnerships between corporate organizations and traditional institutions in sustaining the country’s cultural legacy.

He congratulated Igwe Achebe, the Ofala Festival organizing committee and the people of Onitsha on the successful celebration of this year’s event, and restated the company’s commitment to initiatives that celebrate Nigeria’s cultural diversity, strengthen community bonds and project the nation’s rich heritage to the world.

The evening was a rich blend of culture, music and comedy, with guests treated to performances by Aniweta Mazeli, Boy o Boy and the Groove Band, while comedian MC Ezegetive brought laughter and excitement to the gathering. Their stagecraft complemented the grandeur of the occasion, and created memorable moments for the royal household, community leaders and other guests.

Globacom also used the occasion to celebrate the competitive spirit, discipline and community pride demonstrated by the various Onitsha age grades during the festival by rewarding those who won the different competitions with cash prizes and trophies. It also presented hundreds of bags of special Basmati rice to all the members of the different age grade associations.

The company’s continued association with the Ofala celebration demonstrates how private-sector investment can help traditional institutions preserve heritage, while expanding the social and economic values of cultural events.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has increased its premium motor spirit, PMS, pump price following the announcement of a discounted fuel price.

Checks on Friday showed that NNPCL increased its petrol price to N1,405 per litre from N1,370 per litre.

Several fuel pump attendants, who spoke to an online medium Daily Post, on condition of anonymity, said the latest price increase was announced on Thursday but implemented on Friday.

This means that NNPCL’s petrol price increased by N35 per litre, although the state-owned oil company has not explained the reason for the adjustment.

The latest development means that petrol prices at the company’s filling stations have risen again despite the controversy surrounding the announced fuel discount.

On Thursday, the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, announced a proposed fixed petrol gantry price of N1,375 per litre ahead of the January 16, 2027, presidential election.