Japan Commits N20Billion To Rehabilitate Nigeria’s National Grid, Apapa Substation
Japan Commits N20Billion To Rehabilitate Nigeria’s National Grid, Apapa Substation
JICA Chief Representative in Nigeria, Ishigame Keiji, disclosed the commitment in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
The Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has committed N20 billion to expand and rehabilitate Nigeria’s national electricity grid, particularly the Apapa Transmission Substation in Lagos.
JICA Chief Representative in Nigeria, Ishigame Keiji, disclosed the commitment in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
He said the 2.35 billion Japanese yen funding would support construction, equipment procurement, engineering services, operational training and other project implementation activities.
Keiji said the intervention was designed to strengthen critical transmission infrastructure in Lagos, where increasing electricity demand and ageing facilities have put pressure on the power system.
He said the rehabilitation of the Apapa substation had increased transmission capacity, improved reliability and reduced bottlenecks affecting power evacuation and distribution in Lagos and nearby areas.
He said Japan, through JICA, was also implementing another official development assistance project through a concessional loan to improve the transmission network covering Lagos and Ogun states.
The JICA representative added that the agency would provide technical assistance and policy advisers to the Ministry of Power to support reforms and improve the development of Nigeria’s electricity sector.
“The Government of Japan, through JICA, is collaborating with the Ministry of Power to enhance stable and reliable power supply in Nigeria,” he said.
Keiji said Japanese companies and other private investors remained interested in Nigeria because of its large market, adding that stronger government support and private-sector participation could help improve the power sector.
He also urged the Federal Government and investors to adopt a combination of on-grid, off-grid and mini-grid systems rather than relying on a single approach to electricity supply.
According to him, JICA is collaborating with the World Bank on the development of mini-grids, particularly for rural communities, while also deploying experts to work with the Ministry of Power on policy recommendations and institutional improvements.
The latest commitment forms part of Japan’s broader support for Nigeria’s electricity sector, with the projects expected to strengthen transmission infrastructure and contribute to a more reliable and sustainable power supply.
