Lagos State has set a target of more than 3,000 megawatts of electricity supply by March 2027. The current level is below 1,000MW. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed the plan at the fourth Lagos Business School Africa Energy Conference. He was represented by Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat. The conference theme was securing Nigeria’s energy future.
Lagos has pursued energy independence for years. The state approved 14 electricity licences in May 2026. These cover off-grid generation, embedded generation, independent distribution and metering. The state established the Lagos Electricity Market. It aims to end blackouts and build a 24-hour power economy. Similar efforts have been made in other states. Enugu recently secured $200 million for a 100MW solar project. Ogun has pursued gas-to-power. The pattern reflects a broader shift. States are moving away from reliance on the national grid.
Sanwo-Olu outlined a seven-point action plan. It focuses on making the Lagos Electricity Market fully functional. It includes increasing generation, strengthening distribution, reinforcing transmission, improving metering, strengthening gas-to-power arrangements and enhancing IT visibility. The state is working to mobilise 2,000MW through grid resources, independent power projects, energy hubs, power barges and embedded generation. The plan also emphasises gas supply, SCADA systems, Advanced Metering Infrastructure and the Lagos Electricity Intelligence Platform.
Solarisation projects have been completed in 175 public schools. Another 100 are ongoing. About 42,000 of the 50,000 streetlights earmarked for solarisation have been completed. The state is upgrading substations and distribution feeders. It is expanding metering to reduce estimated billing.
Winners: Lagos residents, who gain reliable power. Businesses, which gain 24-hour operations. Investors, who gain opportunities. Solar contractors, who gain contracts. The Lagos State Government, which gains credibility. Losers: The national grid, which loses Lagos revenue. Diesel suppliers, who lose business. Distribution companies that fail to adapt. Taxpayers, if the plan is mismanaged. The state, if targets are missed.
Bottom Line: Lagos wants 3,000MW by March 2027. The current supply is below 1,000MW. The plan is ambitious. The timeline is tight. The state has done it before. The target is achievable. But delivery is the test.