The Lagos State Government plans to raise electricity supply to more than 3,000 megawatts (MW) by March 2027, up from the current level of less than 1,000MW, as it seeks to improve power reliability for residents and businesses.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the target at the fourth Lagos Business School Africa Energy Conference 2026 on October 11. His deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, represented him at the event.
The state plans to secure an additional 2,000MW through a combination of national grid supply, independent power projects, embedded generation, power barges, energy hubs and electricity trading arrangements.
Sanwo-Olu said the expansion would require improvements across the electricity supply chain, including power generation, transmission, distribution, gas supply and metering.
The government has outlined a seven-point strategy to strengthen the state’s electricity market, expand generation capacity, upgrade transmission infrastructure, improve distribution networks and increase access to meters. The plan also includes strengthening gas supply to power plants and deploying digital systems to improve market monitoring and accountability.
As part of the infrastructure drive, Lagos is upgrading substations and distribution feeders while expanding metering coverage to reduce estimated billing and improve service delivery.
The state is also investing in solar energy. According to the government, solar installations have been completed on about 42,000 of the 50,000 streetlights covered by its solarisation initiative. Solar projects have also been completed in 175 public schools, with work continuing at another 100 schools.
The administration says the electricity expansion is intended to support businesses, encourage industrial development, create jobs and improve living conditions across the state.
Sanwo-Olu also called on investors, financial institutions, energy companies and development partners to support the plan, stressing the need for coordinated implementation and measurable progress.
The initiative builds on Lagos State’s efforts to establish its own electricity market following the transfer of regulatory powers over intrastate electricity activities to state authorities.
In May 2026, the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission approved 14 licences and permits covering activities such as off-grid and embedded power generation, electricity distribution, metering services and interconnected mini-grids.
The government is seeking to attract more private investment and expand electricity access across residential and industrial areas.
However, achieving the 3,000MW target will depend on the availability of additional power, reliable gas supplies, stronger transmission and distribution infrastructure, and effective coordination among electricity market operators.
