Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says the state government plans to increase electricity supply to 3,000 megawatts (MW) from the current level of below 1,000MW by March 2027.
Mr Sanwo-Olu said the initiative is part of efforts to end blackouts and build a 24-hour power economy in the state.
He spoke at the Fourth Lagos Business School (LBS) Africa Energy Conference 2026, on Saturday at Lekki.
The conference had the theme: “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future: Policy Reform, Capital Mobilisation and Pathways to a Sustainable Power and Energy Market”.
Mr Sasnwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, said the state was working to mobilise an additional 2,000MW through national grid resources, independent power projects, energy hubs, power barges, energy traders and embedded generation.
He said achieving the target would require coordinated improvements across the electricity value chain, including generation, transmission, distribution, gas supply and metering.
“Lagos needs more power,” the governor said. “Our immediate objective is to mobilise 2,000MW of additional electricity supply through multiple channels, including additional national grid resources, Lagos independent power projects and energy hubs, excess generation, 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 added.
Mr Sanwo-Olu outlined a seven-point action plan to meet the target.
He said the action plan includes making the Lagos Electricity Market fully functional, increasing electricity generation, strengthening distribution capacity, reinforcing transmission infrastructure and improving networks and metering.
The plan also includes strengthening gas-to-power arrangements, enhancing information technology, and increasing market visibility.
He said the state was working to strengthen its transmission network, improve substations and distribution feeders, and expand metering coverage to reduce estimated billing and improve service delivery.
The governor added that the government was working to establish clear contractual obligations, improve coordination among electricity market operators and regulators, and create a commercially viable environment to attract private investment.
Mr Sanwo-Olu said Lagos has recorded progress in renewable energy interventions, with about 42,000 of the approximately 50,000 streetlights earmarked for solarisation completed.
He said solarisation projects had been implemented in 175 public schools, while work was ongoing in another 100 schools.
The governor called on investors, financial institutions, energy operators and development partners to collaborate with the state in implementing the plan.
He said reliable electricity was essential to industrial growth, job creation, business competitiveness and improved living standards.
“The focus is now on disciplined implementation and measurable results that will support the development of a sustainable electricity market and strengthen the economic growth of Lagos,” he said.
In a keynote address, Ronald Adams, vice president, Deepwater Assets and managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd., called for sustained implementation of Nigeria’s energy sector reforms.
Mr Adams said Nigeria’s oil and gas resources could drive industrialisation and strengthen energy security if supported by competitive fiscal policies, regulatory certainty, efficient project approvals and disciplined execution.
He said Nigeria’s estimated 37 billion barrels of oil and condensate reserves, alongside more than 250 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, presented significant opportunities for economic development.
Earlier, Olayinka David-West, Dean of LBS, urged stakeholders to look beyond individual interventions and adopt a holistic approach that would positively impact the entire energy ecosystem.
(NAN)
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