National grid: TCN confirms N1.28bn payment for solar streetlights outside mandate

The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has confirmed that it paid N1.28 billion for solar streetlight projects outside its statutory mandate.

TCN disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah.

The clarification follows reports that the company disbursed N1.28 billion in May and June 2026 for solar streetlight projects.

According to TCN, although the solar streetlight projects fall outside its core mandate, they are part of National Assembly constituency projects duly captured in the federal government’s approved 2026 Appropriation Act.

TCN said it neither requested nor initiated the projects, adding that they were inserted into its capital budget by the National Assembly.

“TCN did not initiate or request these projects. They were included in TCN’s capital budget by the National Assembly, with the company designated as the implementing agency by the relevant authorities, in line with established government practice.

“It is important to emphasize that the funds utilized for these projects do not belong to TCN and do not come from the company’s Internally Generated Revenue. They are federal government appropriations duly approved by Mr. President.

“While TCN’s core statutory mandate remains bulk power transmission, the company is empowered to execute constituency and other federal government projects when duly assigned. These interventions should not be erroneously interpreted as a deviation from TCN’s primary responsibility as the transporter of bulk electricity nationwide,” the statement read.