BY EMMA PETER, ABUJA
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has facilitated the clearance and release of 98 containers of stranded electricity transmission equipment following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to remove longstanding bottlenecks hindering critical power infrastructure projects across the country.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday, November 6, 2026, during the flag-off ceremony for the release of the equipment at Apapa Port, Lagos.
The CGC explained that the first batch of 48 containers was released from the ENL Terminal, while an additional 50 containers were cleared at Tin Can Island and other ports, bringing the total number of released containers to 98.
He said the intervention was part of the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to addressing infrastructure challenges in the power sector and accelerating the expansion of Nigeria’s electricity transmission capacity.
According to Adeniyi, the equipment, which includes high-capacity transformers, cables, switchgear and other essential transmission materials, had remained stranded at Nigerian ports for periods ranging from 14 to 20 years.
He explained that the consignments were imported through the Federal Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for critical electricity projects but could not be cleared due to outstanding charges and administrative challenges.
“Over the years, equipment imported for critical power projects remained uncleared at our ports in some cases, for between 14 and 20 years. These consignments include high-capacity transformers, cables, switchgear, and other transmission equipment imported through the Federal Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
“Following a presentation by the Honourable Minister of Power at the Federal Executive Council, Mr President directed the immediate clearance of the equipment. He also directed the relevant agencies to resolve all outstanding charges and administrative bottlenecks without delay,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss noted that the Presidential Power Initiative, being implemented in partnership with Siemens Energy, had also been revived as part of broader efforts to expand the country’s electricity transmission capacity.
He added that the Tinubu administration was taking steps to settle verified legacy debts in the power sector, address the metering deficit and extend off-grid electricity solutions to underserved communities, universities, markets and hospitals.
Earlier, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, described the release of 98 containers out of more than 300 stranded consignments as a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to restore stalled power infrastructure projects.
Tegbe commended the Comptroller-General and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service for their cooperation and commitment to facilitating the clearance process.
“I want to specially commend and express our appreciation to the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service for their cooperation. Your support has been exceptional, and Mr President recognises your collaboration in ensuring this administration delivers reliable electricity service to every Nigerian,” the minister said.
He disclosed that certified engineers had already assessed the condition of the recovered equipment, adding that necessary refurbishment works would be completed before deployment to project locations.
According to him, all serviceable materials would be matched with their original project requirements and current transmission network needs, with priority given to completing abandoned installations, reducing pressure on overloaded substations and strengthening weak transmission corridors.
The minister described the exercise as part of a coordinated and disciplined strategy to address challenges in the power sector through improved grid stability, strategic reforms, measurable progress and transparent communication with Nigerians.
Stakeholders at the event, including terminal operators, shipping companies and the management and technical teams of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, expressed their readiness to support the seamless transportation of the released equipment to designated project sites.
The development is expected to accelerate the completion of delayed electricity infrastructure projects and contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s national grid and improving electricity supply across the country.
