TCN Defends ₦1.28bn Solar Streetlight Projects, Says They Were National Assembly Constituency Interventions
…dismisses allegation of acting outside its mandate, insists projects followed due process and were designed to enhance grid security
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has defended its implementation of ₦1.28 billion worth of solar streetlight projects across parts of the country, clarifying that the initiatives were National Assembly Constituency Intervention Projects approved by the Federal Government and assigned to the company for execution, rather than projects conceived by the agency itself.
TCN stated that the projects, which recently came under scrutiny following a publication alleging they were outside the company’s statutory mandate, were executed to improve security in vulnerable communities, protect critical power infrastructure and support national development objectives.
The clarification was contained in a press release issued by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and signed by the Management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria on August 1, 2026.
Responding to the publication authored by Emmanuel Oluwole Uti of FIJ, which alleged that TCN paid ₦1.28 billion between May and June 2025 for solar streetlight projects beyond its mandate, the company explained that the interventions were duly captured in the Federal Government’s approved appropriation budget and nominated by members of the National Assembly.
According to TCN, it neither initiated nor requested the projects but was designated by the appropriate government authorities as the implementing agency in line with established government procedures.
“TCN did not initiate or request these projects. They were included in TCN’s capital projects by the National Assembly, with the Company designated as the implementing agency by the relevant authorities, in line with established government practice,” the statement said.
The company further clarified that the funds used for the projects were Federal Government appropriations and not sourced from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
It explained that all payments were processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) in strict compliance with extant financial regulations, while procurement approvals were obtained from relevant government agencies, including the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
TCN stressed that the projects were designed to complement its responsibility of protecting the national grid by improving security in communities hosting critical transmission infrastructure.
“Experience has shown that well-lit communities help boost public confidence, reduce vandalism and theft, and ultimately safeguard the integrity of the national grid,” the company stated.
The agency noted that the interventions carried out in Jigawa, Kano and Kogi States were implemented at the request of the National Assembly to improve visibility, strengthen security in vulnerable communities and support socio-economic activities while contributing to the protection of electricity transmission assets.
While reiterating that its core responsibility remains the transmission of bulk electricity nationwide, TCN maintained that it is legally empowered to execute constituency and other Federal Government projects assigned to it.
“These interventions should not be erroneously interpreted as a deviation from TCN’s primary responsibility as the transporter of bulk electricity nationwide,” the statement added.
The company also dismissed suggestions that it acted unlawfully, noting that no law prohibits it from implementing projects assigned by the National Assembly or other arms of government, provided due process is followed in accordance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
TCN explained that all procurements relating to the projects—including payments referenced in the publication to Au Step Nigeria Limited, Empire Technical Projects Construction Services Limited, and Ideal Engineering & Construction Company Limited—were conducted in full compliance with procurement regulations and are being monitored to ensure quality delivery and measurable impact.
The company urged media organisations and stakeholders to verify information directly with it before publication to ensure balanced and factual reporting.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria remains committed to its statutory mandate of wheeling bulk power across the nation and to supporting national development objectives through the transparent execution of projects duly assigned by the government and the National Assembly,” the statement concluded.
