President Bola Tinubu has pledged unwavering support for the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), assuring Siemens Energy of Nigeria of the country’s full commitment to transforming its electricity landscape.
At a high-level meeting in Abuja with Siemens executives and top government officials, Tinubu emphasised that reliable power is the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial and economic growth.
“Power is the most significant discovery of humanity in the last 1,000 years,” the President declared. “There is no industrial growth or economic development without power.”
Led by Dietmar Siersdorfer, Siemens Energy’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, the delegation was received alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser on Energy Olu Verheijen.
Tinubu directed the expansion of major transformer substations from two to three phases and promised to mobilise resources for the deployment of 10 additional mobile power stations nationwide.
“We are all inspired and happy. This is what we want to achieve on the continent. We want everyone to see the glory of our economic recovery and banishment of poverty,” he stated.
Speaking on the infrastructure milestones and investment gains, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, outlined key achievements under the PPI’s pilot phase:
“Siemens Energy has successfully delivered and commissioned 10 units of 132/33kV mobile substations, three units of 75/100MVA transformers, and seven units of 60/66MVA transformers across key load centres nationwide, adding 984MW of transmission capacity to the grid.”
He added that the Federal Executive Council had approved the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for Phase One, Batch One, covering substations in Abeokuta, Offa, Ayede-Ibadan, Sokoto, and Onitsha.
Plans for civil works mobilisation across all five locations have been finalised. Two of the five substations are targeted for completion by the end of 2026,” Adelabu said.
The minister also revealed that Phase One, Batch Two will include six Brownfield and ten Greenfield substations, with a cumulative impact of 4,104MW.
Adelabu credited the Electricity Act 2023 and the newly developed National Integrated Electricity Policy for attracting over $22 billion in fresh investments and activating 15 state electricity markets.
“The power sector has achieved many critical milestones, including decentralisation and liberalisation,” he said.
Similarly, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, emphasised the broader economic implications: “The completion of the PPI will enhance Nigeria’s ease of doing business, create more jobs for the youth, and reduce poverty.”
Speaking at the State House, Dietmar Siersdorfer, Managing Director of Siemens Energy, described the PPI as a transformative platform. “The PPI is not just a project but a platform for long-term development and prosperity.”
He announced the construction of a training centre to build local capacity in electrical engineering and ensure technology transfer.
“Nigerian professionals will be engaged directly in the five project sites. Thousands of jobs will be enabled in local communities through purchased services, accommodation, and transportation,” he added.
German Ambassador Johannes Lehne’s representative reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to the partnership.
With civil works mobilisation underway and equipment manufacturing in progress, the PPI is poised to deliver a transformative impact.
As President Tinubu noted, “We appreciate the support and commitment of the German government and Siemens. The investment you are making and your commitment align with the future of this country.”
The initiative is poised to redefine Nigeria’s energy future, positioning the country as a regional power hub and unlocking new pathways for economic growth and recovery.