The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving electricity supply across northern Nigeria as construction of the Abuja Independent Power Project (IPP), a key component of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Power and Gas Initiative, advances towards the commissioning of its first 265-megawatt (MW) phase.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Mr Abdulazeez Abdulazeez, gave the assurance during an inspection tour of the project site, describing the pace of work as a major milestone in the Tinubu administration’s efforts to strengthen the nation’s power infrastructure.
According to him, the 1,600MW power plant, which stood on undeveloped grassland in mid-2024, has undergone remarkable transformation within two years, with the first 265MW phase expected to be commissioned and connected to the national grid by the end of December 2026.
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“This site, as of 2024, was all grass. But from mid-2024 to now, which is about two years, this is the transformation that has taken place under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You can see that this 1,600-megawatt power station is progressing steadily,” Abdulazeez said.
He explained that the project is being executed in phases to accelerate electricity delivery while work continues on the full 1,600MW capacity.
“We are currently concentrating on the first phase, which is scalable. It has a capacity of 265 megawatts and is expected to be commissioned and put into operation before the end of the year,” he said.
Abdulazeez noted that the plant will be powered entirely by natural gas supplied through the AKK gas pipeline, describing the development as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s electricity sector.
He observed that the additional generation would substantially improve electricity supply across northern Nigeria, noting that the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (Kano Disco), which serves three states, currently receives only about 150MW.
“At present, Kano Disco, which covers three states, receives only about 150 megawatts. Imagine what an additional 265 megawatts will mean. The fact that this plant will be powered by gas supplied through the AKK pipeline makes it a game-changer.
“It will transform electricity supply and significantly address power challenges in Nigeria, particularly in the surrounding communities,” he said.
Highlighting the project’s wider socio-economic benefits, Abdulazeez said the initiative is creating employment opportunities, promoting skills transfer and advancing Nigeria’s infrastructure development agenda.
“Job creation is a major component of this important project. The engagement of Nigerian technicians alongside expatriate engineers demonstrates our commitment to building local capacity, creating opportunities for skills transfer and employment, while delivering critical infrastructure,” he added.
Providing a technical update, the Deputy Site Manager of the Chinese engineering firm handling the construction, Mr Hu Saisai, said work commenced in June 2024 with site clearance and land preparation.
“When I arrived in June 2024, the entire site was covered with grass. We began with site clearance, excavation and land levelling,” he said.
Hu explained that foundation works began in January 2025 and were completed within six months before the installation of major equipment commenced.
“We started the equipment foundation works in January 2025. It took about six months to complete the foundations. Almost all the equipment has now been delivered and mounted on the foundations. We are currently carrying out installation,” he said.
He disclosed that engineering and procurement activities have been completed, while construction has reached 83.87 percent and the overall project completion level stands at 78.19 percent.
According to him, the first phase of the project includes a natural gas receiving station, chemical water treatment facilities, a mechanical draft cooling tower and a switchyard that will evacuate electricity to the national grid.
Hu added that five major transformers, including the gas turbine, steam turbine and main transformers, have already been installed alongside the primary gas turbine generators. The remaining work, he said, involves electrical cabling, firefighting systems and final pre-commissioning activities.
He further revealed that the project has engaged a workforce of 1,366 personnel, comprising 260 Chinese experts and 1,106 Nigerian technicians.
He said the project has recorded more than 4.4 million safe man-hours without any lost-time injury or fatality since work began on what was previously undeveloped grassland in mid-2024, reflecting strict compliance with international health and safety standards.
When completed, the Abuja Independent Power Project is expected to strengthen the national grid, improve electricity supply in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states, and support the Federal Government’s broader agenda of expanding reliable power generation across the country.
