By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
Katsina State has expanded its electricity transmission infrastructure following the commissioning of a 120-megavolt-ampere (MVA) transmission substation in Kankia Local Government Area by the Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, and Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
The facility, commissioned on Friday, October 23, 2026, is designed to reinforce the state’s transmission network and increase its capacity to receive and distribute available electricity to homes, businesses and industries through the existing power network.
The substation operates at 132/33 kilovolts (kV) and is equipped with two 60MVA transformers, providing a combined transformation capacity of 120MVA.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Tegbe described the project as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national electricity grid and improve transmission capacity across the country.
He said investment in electricity infrastructure was necessary to ensure that power generated nationwide could be transmitted more efficiently to distribution networks and ultimately reach consumers.
Governor Radda described the project as a significant addition to Katsina’s power infrastructure, noting that dependable electricity was important for economic growth, industrial development and improved public services.
He said the new facility could support economic activities across sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, commerce, education and healthcare by strengthening the infrastructure required to deliver electricity.
Radda also commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the project and praised the Federal Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for their roles in its delivery.
The governor urged residents of the host community to protect the facility against vandalism, describing it as a public asset intended to serve current and future generations.
The commissioning forms part of wider efforts to improve electricity infrastructure in Katsina State. During his visit, the minister also inspected a separate transmission substation project in Katsina metropolis and attended the groundbreaking ceremony for another facility in Mashi Local Government Area.
The Mashi project, which is being executed by TCN, is designed to provide an additional 120MVA of capacity through two 60MVA transformers. The Federal Government has set March 2027 as its target completion date.
The three interventions represent separate components of ongoing investment in the state’s transmission infrastructure. While the Kankia facility has been commissioned, the Mashi project remains under construction, and the Katsina metropolis project is also being developed.
The additional infrastructure is expected to improve the network’s ability to handle and transmit electricity. However, the extent to which consumers experience longer hours of supply or improved voltage will also depend on available electricity generation, transmission performance and the capacity of distribution companies to deliver power to end users.
The projects come as Nigeria continues to pursue reforms aimed at improving electricity access and encouraging greater participation by state governments and private investors in the power sector. Vice-President Kashim Shettima recently urged states to develop their own electricity markets and attract investment to address local supply challenges.
For Katsina, the commissioning of the Kankia substation marks a completed infrastructure milestone. Its long-term benefits will depend on reliable network operations, adequate electricity supply and effective distribution to the communities and businesses it is intended to serve.