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LAGOS, Nigeria - In an effort to ensure a 24-hour power supply throughout Lagos, the State Government has unveiled plans to boost its electricity capacity by 6 gigawatts by 2029.
This initiative includes gas-fired and grid-scale solar power projects, aimed at creating a more sustainable energy mix as part of the 6GW power enhancement strategy.
Additionally, the administration led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has revealed plans to modernize 22,000 streetlights across the state, with the goal of alleviating grid pressure and enhancing energy efficiency.
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, stated that this program represents the government's efforts to transition away from fossil fuels, which he deemed unreliable and harmful to human health.
Ogunleye referred to a study conducted by his ministry in partnership with SEforALL, which highlighted the extent of the state's reliance on self-generated power.
The research indicated that Lagos is home to around 4.5 million generators distributed among households, market areas, and small to medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
He pointed out the significant financial burden on residents for fueling these generators, which release 38 million tons of CO₂ annually.
In 2021, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) reported that approximately 30,000 deaths each year are attributable to carbon monoxide pollution, underscoring the urgency to abandon fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy.
At the 2025 Lagos Energy Summit, Ogunleye announced that the government is collaborating with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to implement solar energy solutions in schools, healthcare facilities, food/agricultural hubs, and residences in underserved communities.
He highlighted that these sectors present substantial opportunities for growth, development, and job creation, particularly through the adoption and integration of renewable energy technologies, advanced energy storage solutions, and smart grid systems.
Furthermore, the commissioner mentioned ongoing discussions with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) regarding the “Lagos Gas” initiative, which aims to establish a localized approach for utilizing clean and dependable gas in homes and industries.
“We are partnering with Ibile Oil & Gas Corporation and other stakeholders in the value chain to promote clean cooking, especially for low-income households,” he noted.
Ogunleye praised the governor’s efforts, emphasizing that the administration is creating a metropolis conducive to prosperity for every entrepreneur, student, artisan, and family, powered by electricity that is clean, reliable, and affordable.
“The Lagos we are building envisions children studying with lights sourced from clean energy, homes cooking with clean gas, buses operating without diesel, hospitals remaining powered, and investors arriving with confidence in the stability of energy costs,” he added.
According to Ogunleye, Sanwo-Olu is building on the groundwork established by previous leaders, notably President Bola Tinubu, who served as governor of the state and enabled Lagos to gain full control of its electricity markets.
“In the early 2000s, Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu introduced the Enron barges to the Lagos coastline, initiating the movement toward power democratization in Nigeria. Subsequent administrations in Lagos have built on this legacy,” he remarked.
