Issue no.

27 July 2020

TCN TRANSMISSION NEWS

STEPS TO PROTECTING YOURSELF S E N AT E I N S P E C T S O N - G O I N G
TRANSMISSION PROJECTS IN ABUJA

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON POWER

PAYS OVERSIGHT VISIT TO TCN

GOVERNOR, MINISTER & AG.

MD/CEO TCN INSPECT GAGARAWA
SUBSTATION PROJECT

Together we can win the fight

JULY 2020

against COVID-19

... transmitting electricity in the most efficient and effective manner

FG RELEASES LETTERS OF APPOINTMENT
TO NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM
 TCN NEWSLETTER

June 2019 ber 20

19
Septem
March 2019

19
ber 20
Decem
July 2020

EDITIONS OF
TCN TRANSMISSION NEWS
PUBLISHED IN 2019/2020

Connect with us on

tcn_nigeria TCN_NIGERIA
affairs.public@tcn.org.ng

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 57

TCN NEWSLETTER

CONTENTS TCN MANAGEMENT, AFDB MEET ON

16 CRITICAL POWER TRANSMISSION

8 PROJECTS

PA-NPSP, USAID PLEDGES SUPPORT

18 FOR TCN ON CAPACITY BUILDING

20

06 FG RELEASES LETTERS 17
06
OF APPOINTMENT
TO NEW MANAGEMENT TCN TO EXECUTE
TEAM 60KM TRANSMISSION
LINE PROJECT IN
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NASARAWA STATE
08 POWER PAYS OVERSIGHT
VISIT TO TCN
...PLEDGES MAXIMUM SUPPORT 28
SENATE INSPECTS WAPP EMBARKS
10 ON-GOING TCN
TRANSMISSION LINE
ON EXECUTION
OF CRITICAL
PROJECT AND TRANSMISSION
330/132/33KV
SUBSTATION SITES INFRASTRUCTURE
TO ENHANCE
FG REAFFIRMS REGIONAL
20 COMMITMENT TO ELECTRICITY
ABUJA FEEDING SCHEME TO
TRADE
DELIVER 30GW BY
2030 UNDER ITS
35 ENHANCE BULK POWER DELIVERY
VISION 3030:30

12
10 34
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 3
TCN NEWSLETTER
t
EDITOR’S
NOTE
he contagious COVID-19 pandemic has affected every
aspect of our lives one way or another, the work place is
not exempt, business is no longer as usual as the global
economy groans.
ICT facilitated mode of meeting such as webinar, zoom
and conference calls have virtually taken over the
traditional mode of meeting. Number of persons
attending internal or physical meetings are also
restricted in compliance with the physical distancing
rule. There are indications that even after COVID 19,
the physical distancing and other Corona related rules
would continue to affect our work place.
Designated as an essential service delivery company by
the federal government of Nigeria, TCN worked
through the peak of the pandemic period, and have had
to adapt to new ways of getting its jobs executed
without unduly exposing staff to the virus. The
company equally provided safety items for staff, as
indicated by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control
(NCDC).
The pandemic notwithstanding, TCN continued to
efficiently wheel all bulk power generated to the Disco
load centers nationwide and has equally maintained a
stable grid frequency within the period. NCC
announced a new maximum daily peak of
112,448.81MWH on April 17, 2020, clearly showing
that the sector is active inspite of the pandemic.
With the wave of change came the appointment of a
new Management team for TCN by the Federal
Government, announced on 19th May, 2020. This
brought on board a new MD/CEO, Engr. S. A. Abdulaziz
VISION
To be one of the leading electricity transmission companies in the world
MISSION
To transmit electricity in the most efficient and effective manner
CORE VALUES
Integrity, Transparency, Sustainability, Professionalism, Customer Focus,
Teamwork and Safety
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 4
and confirmed four Executive Directors who had been
on acting capacity.
With the new dawn in TCN and the atmosphere of great
expectations, the new appointees have hit the ground
running with various measures put in place to ensure
staff are carried along in moving TCN to the next
milestone. Within the period January to date, TCN had
equally agreed to collaborate with Kwara, Jigawa and
Ekiti State governments among others, to facilitate the
achievement of transmission projects in their states.
TCN staff on the other hand have displayed
commendable resilience and absolute commitment to
work during the pandemic and have continued to
implement projects using in-house engineers,
including restringing of lines, technical commissioning
of completed projects among others.
Clearly TCN is not resting on its oars, but is striving to
ensure the delivery of a robust transmission grid.
The on-going Abuja ring project comprising five new
substations and 132kV transmission lines as well as the
almost completed 132/33kV Gagarawa Substation in
Jigawa State, recently inspected by the Hon. Minister
and Ag. MD/CEO of TCN, and a host of on-going
projects nationwide, testify to this.
Whatever we do during this COVID-19 period, TCN
enjoins you to stay safe !
Ndidi Mbah
Editor-in-Chief
TCN NEWSLETTER

PERM. SEC. FEDERAL MINISTRY OF POWER

MRS. DIDI ESTHER WALSON-JACK, mni

M rs Diiarau Didi Esther Walson-Jack holds a Bachelor of

Laws degree from the University of Lagos, was called to
the Bar in 1987. She also holds Certificates in Legislative
Drafting from the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies,
Lagos, and the California State Senate, U.S.A. Mrs. Walson-Jack is a
Certified Conflict Resolution and Peace Building practitioner.
She started her career as a private legal practitioner and later joined
the Public Service as a State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of
Justice. On the creation of Bayelsa State out of the old Rivers State
in 1996, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack transferred her service to the
Ministry of Justice, Bayelsa State, were she held dual positions of
Solicitor-General of Bayelsa State and Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Justice from July 2002.
In 2009, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack transferred to the Federal Civil
Service as Assistant Director at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs,
and was later promoted to the post of a Deputy Director.
In 2015, she was promoted to the position of Director and served in
different capacities within the civil service before her appointment
as the Permanent Secretary; Service Welfare Office (SWO), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF);
Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in August, 2019; and is currently serving in the Federal Ministry of Power since 23rd December
2019.
Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack is an alumnus of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, member
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and International Bar Association (IBA). She is also an award recipient of several renowned
institutes and organizations.

ACTING MD/CEO OF TCN

ENGR. SULE AHMED ABDULAZIZ

E ngr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz is the new Ag. MD/CEO of

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). He was the Regional
Transmission Manager, Abuja Region of TCN before his
appointment as the Acting Managing Director of TCN, on 19th May,
2020.
Engr. Abdulaziz joined the defunct National Electric Power Authority
(NEPA) in 1996 as Manager, Electrical, and rose through the ranks to
become the Senior Manager, Projects in the defunct Power Holding
Company (PHCN) in charge of and supervising various project sites
nationwide.
In 2013, Engr. Abdulaziz was made the Assistant General Manager,
Technical Audit in charge of valuation and vetting of all technical jobs
executed by contractors among others. In 2014, he was moved back
to Projects department as the Assistant General Manager, Substation
Projects, working as projects director for all TCN's substation projects
which includes general supervision, defining project parameters and
ensuring compliance with specifications and timelines.
As Assistant General Manager, Projects, he ensured the successful completion and energizing of various transmission substation
projects including Kukwaba in Abuja, Maiduguri Substation in Borno, Odogunyan Substation in Lagos State and Okpella
Substation in Edo State, among others.
He holds a BSc Electrical and MSc Automation Engineering from The Technical University, Sofia, Bulgaria and is a member of the
Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Council for the Regulation of Engineering (COREN) and a Chartered Member of Nigeria
Institute of Management (NIM). Engr. Abudulaziz has attended several local and international Engineering, Technical and
Administrative courses.
He assumed duty as the Acting MD on 20th May, 2020.

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 5

 TCN NEWSLETTER

FG RELEASES LETTERS OF APPOINTMENT

TO NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM

Engr. Sule A. Abdulaziz

Ag. Managing Director/CEO TCN

Engr. Victor Adewumi Engr. Maman Jimoh Lawal, Mr. Ahmed Isah - Dutse Barr. Justin Ishaya Dodo
ED (TSP) ED (ISO) ED (Finance & Accounts). ED (Human Resource & Corporate Services)

T he new Management Team of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), comprising the Ag. Managing Director and four
Executive Directors have received their letters of appointment from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Muhammadu Buhari.

The new Management Team which include Engr. Sule A. Abdulaziz as the Acting Managing Director, Engr. Victor Adewumi -
Executive Director (Transmission Service Provider), Engr. Maman J. Lawal - Executive Director (Independent System Operator), Mr.
Ahmad Dutse - Executive Director (Finance and Accounts) and Barr Justin Dodo - Executive Director (Human Resources and
Corporate Services), have all been appointed for an initial term of four years.

The letters which were signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, noted that the appointment of
the Acting MD is with effect from 19th May, 2020 while those of the four Executive Directors took effect from 27th December, 2019.

The Federal Government had on the 19th of May, 2020 announced the appointment of a new Acting Managing Director for TCN as
well as the confirmation of the Executive Directors, who had been on acting capacity.

Engr. Victor Adewumi is the Executive Director,
Transmission Service Provider (TSP), one of the Business
Units of TCN. Prior to his appointment, Engr. Adewumi
had covered the duties of the Head, Transmission Service
Provider from September 2017. He was the General
Manager (Maintenance & Field Ser vices), TCN
Headquarters Abuja from 2015 to 2017, and was the
General Manager (Transmission), Benin Region from 2012-
2015.
Engr. Adewumi holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in
Engineering from Ado Ekiti Polytechnic and has attended
many international conferences and seminars.
He is a member of Council of Registered Engineers of
Nigeria (COREN), Fellow, Institute of Corporate
Administration of Nigeria, Member, Nigerian Society of
Engineers (NSE) and Member, Nigerian Institute of
Management (NIM). Engr. Adewumi has served in many
committees such as Task Force for Installation and
Commissioning of 60MVA, 132/33kV Transformer at Irrua
Sub-Station, Member Task Team for the Installation and
Commissioning of 90MVA 330/132/13.8 Power
Transformer in Osogbo Transmission Station and the
National Control Centre, amongst others.

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 6

TCN NEWSLETTER
Engr. Maman Jimoh Lawal, is the Executive Director,
Independent System Operator (ISO). Before his appointment,
Engr. Lawal covered duties as the Head Independent System
Operations from September 2017. He Holds a B Sc. Electrical
Engineering from the University of IIorin, Kwara State, A
Master of Science Degree (MSc) in Information Technology
from NOUN.
Just before his appointment in September 2017, he was the
General Manager, System Operations (SO). He has held several
other positions in the past such as Trainer, (Power System
Protection & Control, SC ADA/EMS Network
Administrator/Database), Manager (Power System Planning
and System Operations).
Engr. Lawal has participated in several training programmes
that are key in enhancing his knowledge and competencies in
the power industry including: SCADA/EMS SOFTWARE
Mr. Ahmed Isah - Dutse is the Executive Director (Finance &
Accounts).
Prior to his appointment, he covered the duties of the ED
(F&A) from 2017 to December 2019. From 2015 to 2017, he
was the General Manager Treasury, Finance & Accounts
Division of Transmission Service Provider (TSP) and
Independent System Operation (ISO). Earlier, he was the GM
Audit and Projects (Finance) from 2011- 2013. and the
Assistant General Manager (Audit), Market Operations in
2009.
Mr. Ahmed Isah - Dutse holds a Higher National Diploma
(HND) in Accountancy, from Kaduna Polytechnic (Kadpoly), a
Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting from the Nigerian
College of Accountancy and MBA – Finance from Abubakar
Barr. Justin Ishaya Dodo is the Executive Director (Human
Resource & Capacity Building.
Before his new role as the substantive Executive Director
Human Resources Barr. Dodo has been covering duties of that
office from January, 2019. Ealier, he had held the position of
General Manger (Legal) ISO until his redeployment to the
Human Resources Sub-sector as General Manager (Human
Resources & Change Management) in August, 2018.
Barr. Justin Ishaya Dodo has a Bachelor's Degree in Public
Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also
holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB, 1989) from the
University of Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in
1990. He has attended several international and national
conferences and seminars.
He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association. He began his
career as Assistant Manager (Personnel & Administration) in
April, 1991 with the National Electric Power Authority
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 7
Engineering and Administration course in Essen Germany,
Vienna, Austria. SCADZ/EMS DATA Engineering course in
Vasterasi, Sweden, Project Planning, Implementation Control
and Intranet course in Montreal, Canada, Energy Management
System course in Nurenberg, Germany, Transmission system
Planning and Analysis course in Henectady, USA.
From the knowledge he acquired through formal and on the job
trainings, he designed a 2 year Rejuvenated Pupil Engineers'
Development Program, comprising of Intensive Course Work
& Field Experience Exercise for Engineers and Technologists.
He was a member of the team that nurtured the Shiroro
SCADA/EMS Application Software. On the regional level, he
was part of the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) Study
Taskforce on Networks Interconnections. Engr. Lawal is a
corporate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE),
a registered Electrical Engineer with the Council for the
Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
He has attended many international conferences and seminars
including “Modernizing Internal Control” – Rech
Management Centre, Dubai, UAE (2015), “Infrastructure
Asset Management Workshop”– Good Practice and
Application, London, England (2012) amongst others.
Mr. Ahmed is a member of the Governing Council, University
of Jos, a Fellow Certified National Accountant (FCNA), Fellow,
Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCIT) and member,
Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).
He has three publications to his name and has served in
committees such as the 'Ministerial Task Force on Monitoring
Major PHCN & NIPP Projects Performance.
(NEPA). Between 2004 and 2006, he was the Senior Manager
(Human Resources) in the Garki Business Unit and later in
2006 set up the Legal Department of the Abuja Distribution
Zone (now Abuja Electricity Distribution Company). He was
PM (Legal) in the Abuja Zonal office until October, 2010
when he took up appointment with the Transmission
Company of Nigeria.
He was Head of Secretariat of the Power Sector Reform
Committee led by Rilwanu Lukman; member of Committee
on TCN Legacy Debts and Liabilities set up by the Honorable
Minister of Power, Works and Housing; member Committee
on Review of the Electric Sector Power Reform Act, 2005 set
up by the Honorable Minister of Power; member Committee
to Review and Harmonize Industry-wide Legal Documents;
member West African Power Pool (WAPP) Committee on
Review of Dark Fibre Agreement; member WAPP Committee
on Review of Templates of Transmission Services Agreement
(TSA) and Ancillary Services Agreement (ASA); and several
other committees set up by TCN Management.
 House Committee on Power
Pays Oversight Visit to TCN
...pledges maximum support
By Ndidi Mbah

L-R; Deputy Chairman House Committee on Power, Chairman, and Ag. MD/CEO TCN

T he Chairman of the House Committee on Power,

Honourable Magaji Da'u Aliyu, has commended the
operational performance of the Transmission Company
of Nigeria (TCN), and pledged to support the company to
further improve its operational performance.
far, saying that the company has done relatively well even
though there is still room for improvement.

Hon. Aliyu gave the commendation during the oversight visit
with other members of the House Committee on Power to TCN
on Friday, 5th June 2020 at its corporate headquarters, Abuja.
Honourable Aliyu noted that the oversight visit is part of the
duties of the Committee on Power, as enshrined in section 88 of
the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This, he
noted, is to ensure that Nigerians are not shortchanged. He
called on the Management of TCN to work with the Committee,
stating that the primary goal of the committee is to ensure that
things are done properly. He commended TCN's performance so
“Our doors are open and we are here to ensure that things are
done according to the law and within the law. I assure you of our
maximum support and cooperation," he said.
He congratulated the Acting Managing Director of TCN, Engr.
Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz on his appointment and reiterated the
committee's support to ensure the new management achieves
its mandate.
While discussing issues of project implementation, the
Committee urged the management of TCN to give due
consideration to local content in projects execution in line with
the President's Executive Order, and insisted that TCN should
give preference to qualified Nigerian Engineers in the award of
contracts. Giving preference to Nigerian Engineers will help the

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 8

 Front Row: Members House Committee on Power
present administration achieve its mandate of reducing
unemployment in Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, the
Acting Managing Director, Engr. Sule
Ahmed Abdulaziz expressed
appreciation to the committee for the
visit which he pointed out was the first
official meeting with the committee on We will equally
TCN premises in his new capacity as the
acting MD. prioritize capacity
Speaking on experience garnered in
expansion with
TCN before his appointment, Engr.
Abdulaziz noted that he has held several
new projects that
management positions in TCN and that will span the
a major part of his job was overseeing
the execution of transmission lines and entire nation
substation projects across the country.
Prior to his appointment as the Acting
MD/CEO, he was the Reg ional
Transmission Manager of Abuja Region.
“Regular, proactive maintenance processes will be
institutionalized to reduce the occurrence and impact of
ED (TSP), ED (ISO), ED (F&A), GM (Legal) ED (HR & CS) TCN
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 9
Members House Committee on Power (Front Row)
and Management Staff of TCN
breakdowns. We will equally prioritize capacity expansion
with new projects that will span the entire nation”.
On achieving his mandate for TCN, the MD said that the journey
to strengthening the transmission
sector must start with transforming the
existing system, with the government,
regulator and TCN Management
playing core roles. The government and
regulator, he continued, takes the lead
to create the right investment, whilst
TCN focuses on implementing new
technology, ensuring faster project
execution and improving operational
efficiencies.
He stated that "in order to drive growth
in capacity utilization, the immediate
focus of the new TCN Management
would be replacing or repairing existing
equipment, which are failing and prone
to breakdowns. Regular, proactive
m aintenance pro cess es w ill b e
institutionalized to reduce the occurrence and impact of
breakdowns. “We will equally prioritize capacity expansion with
new projects that will span the entire nation”.
TCN Staff during the courtesy visit
 SENATE INSPECTS ON-GOING TCN
TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT AND
330/132/33KV SUBSTATION SITES
L-R ED TSP Engr. Victor Adewumi speaking with the
Chairman Senate Committee on Power Sen. Gabriel Suswan
T he Senate Committee on Power has commended TCN
for various ongoing projects meant to enhance bulk
power delivery to electricity consumers.
problem occurs on any of the lines. At the end of the project,
she said, Abuja would be on supply 24/7 hours.
The Committee members led by its Chairman, Sen. Gabriel
Suswam gave the commendation in Abuja, while on oversight
inspection of TCN's ongoing 12.4KM Katampe-National
Stadium 132kV double circuit transmission line and the New
Apo 330/132/33kV transmission substation projects as part
of its oversight function in the power sector.
Sen. Gabriel Suswam expressed delight at the level of work
already accomplished by TCN and pledged their support in
overcoming bottlenecks that may pose a challenge to the
timely completion of the projects.
According to him, the essence of the oversight is to monitor
and make sure that the committee is satisfied with what TCN is
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 10
By Bili Akau
doing, and to ensure a steady but
seamless power delivery not only
in Abuja but in the whole country”.
He expressed satisfaction that the
completion timeline of the project
would be actualized, particularly
because it is a donor funded
project.
Commenting on the projects, the
project supervisor, Engr. Jane
Okemini, explained that when
completed, the project, would put
the Federal Capital Territory on a
ring at 132kV voltage level,
thereby providing flexibility for
bulk electricity service delivery in
Abuja and environs. The ring
would make it possible for TCN to
move from one line to another, if a
The on-going Katampe-National Stadium 132kV DC line
which originates from the 330/132/33kV Katampe
Transmission Substation comprises 8.4KM of underground
armored cabling that would terminate in Wuye District. From
Wuye, the line would be strung overhead on several towers for
4KM to the 132/33kV Kukwaba Transmission Substation.
The new 330/132/33kV Transmission Substation at new Apo,
which is funded by the Agence Française de Développement
(AFD) was designed to take additional electricity supply to the
FCT from Lafia, Nasarawa State, and would provide electricity
supply redundancy in Abuja and environs, consistent with N-1
criteria.
 TCN NEWSLETTER

GOVERNOR, MINISTER AND Ag. MD/CEO,

TCN INSPECT TCN's 2X60MVA
GAGARAWA SUBSTATION By: Maimuna Isah- Ladan

he Minister of Power Engr. Sale Mamman

T has inspected TCN's 2x60MVA 132/33kV

Substation in Gagarawa, Jigawa State, to
ascertain the progress of work in the
substation.

The Minister who was accompanied on the inspection by the

Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammad
Abubakar Badaru, and the Ag. Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, on Saturday,
11th July 2020, said that the visit was part of effort to ensure
that the project meets the completion timeline to improve
the much needed additional bulk power delivery to Jigawa
State and environs.

Addressing news men after the inspection of the site, Engr.

Mamman noted that the completion of the substation is in
line with the Federal Government's effort to bring about
incremental power supply to electricity consumers in the
country.
According to him, the completion of the substation would not
only improve power supply but also boost socio-economic
activities in the State. He noted that several other
transmission projects are on -going in different parts of the
country as part of President Muhammadu Buhari's policy on
power.
Engr. Mamman lamented the impact of the Coronavirus
pandemic on the power sector and ordered all contractors to
return to work now that the Federal Government has eased
the lock down.
L-R: Ag. MD/CEO TCN, Minister of Power and Governor of Jigawa State.
Corona pandemic” he said.
He expressed satisfaction at the quality of work done at the
Gagarawa Substation and noted that it will soon be ready for
commissioning.
Speaking, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji
Muhammad Abubakar Badaru lauded the administration of
President Muhammadu Buhari for its effort to bring about
stable power supply in the state and the country at large. He
noted that the new substation would massively increase
revenue generation in the state through industrialization of
several benefiting communities such as Gagarawa, Ringim,
Gumel, Taura and Mira.

It would be recalled that the contract for the 2 x 60 MVA,

“I can tell you that the impact of the pandemic is huge in the
132/33kV substation with a capacity of 96 MW and six
power sector. However, we are working in tandem with the
outgoing 33kV feeders, was awarded in 2012 with an initial
Federal Government to restart the economy and since the
completion period of 24months. Work on the substation was
interstate roads have been reopened, I direct all contractors
handling power projects to return to their sites and work stalled by the contractor until the Management of TCN
assiduously to make up for lost timelines caused by the recently reviewed the contract.

Transmission
TransmissionCompany
CompanyOf
OfNigeria
Nigeria 11
2
 TCN NEWSLETTER
SENATE COMMITTEE ON POWER PROMISES MAXIMUM
SUPPORT TO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY,
AS IT INVESTIGATES ELECTRICITY AGENCIES
R: Chairman Senate Committee on Power, Sen. Gabriel Suswan
T
he Senate Committee on Power led by the Chairman,
Senator Gabriel Suswan, have promised maximum
support to finding a lasting solution to epileptic service
delivery in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
This was made known at the investigative public hearing with
the theme; “Power Sector Recovery Plan and the Impact of
Covid'19 Pandemic” at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The essence of the public hearing, he noted, was to attempt to
correct identified anomalies, find lasting solutions to them to
boost power supply to Nigerians to at least 80% power delivery.
He said that the Federal Government has come up with
strategies which if genuinely coordinated and implemented, will
greatly improve the electricity sector and urged agencies and
stakeholders in the industry to ensure proper synergy as well as
assist the Honourable Minster of Power to achieve this
administration's goal for the power sector.
The Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman, during his
presentation disclosed that his major task on assumption of
duty was to get all agencies of the ministry to synergize, having
met lack of coordination within the system. He revealed that his
major challenge was that heads of some agencies report and take
directives from different ministers and leaders, thereby
disorganizing the operations and activities of the sector.
Speaking on the recent Siemen's involvement in the power
sector, the Minister disclosed that it was part of the federal
government's initiative to further strengthen TCN and Discos'
infrastructure as well as address their commercial and technical
challenges for better service delivery.
He informed the committee that a Memorandum of
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 12
By Stella Ejikonye
Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the
governments of Germany and Nigeria, and that Siemens group
are representing Germany.
The management of TCN led by the Ag. MD/CEO, Engr. Sule A.
Abdulaziz, on their part, told the committee of TCN's capacity to
wheel 8,100MW of electricity as at December 2018.
He informed the committee of the progress achieved in the last
two years. The Executive Director, Independent System
Operations (ISO), Engr. Maman Lawal gave specific details of
efforts by TCN to establish its capacity through three different
software simulations which he said is the standard way of
accessing grid capacity. The three simulations, he noted, gave
the same result of 8,100MW as at December 2018.
The TCN Management assured the committee that TCN would
further increase its capacity with the continued execution of its
Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Program (TREP)
aimed at further enhancing the grid network.
Engr. Maman Lawal said that grid load dispatch profile is a
function of demand, and if the Discos are not able to off-take
power on the grid, the excess load on the grid network cannot be
stored and that in such cases, there is nothing TCN can do, even
though such incidents adversely affects the system. This, he
noted, is very wrong and TCN frowns against load rejection by
Discos and advice that Discos should be recapitalized to boost
their capacity to take more load.
The TCN Management drew attention to insufficiency in gas
supply and noted that this has been a major hindrance to power
generation and consequently transmission and distribution of
energy, and requested the committee's intervention in gas
supply as well as the completion of ongoing hydro plants
projects in the country.
L-R: ED (ISO), ED (TSP), Ag. MD/CEO TCN &
Chairman Senate Committee on Power
TCN NEWSLETTER

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONDUCT

INVESTIGATIVE HEARING ON
ACTIVITIES IN THE POWER SECTOR
.....Pledges Support for TCN

power transmission lines and

substation projects which is often
very expensive and slows down
projects implementation,
sometimes for years. He urged the
lawmakers to intervene.

The Ag. MD/CEO listed core

projects that TCN was seeking
funds to accelerate their
completion, saying that when
completed, would substantially
increase the quantum of power
transmitted through the nation's
grid.
Ag. MD/CEO TCN

Commenting on the presentation

T he House of Representatives, through its Ad-hoc

Committee on Investigation and Review of
Activities of the Nigerian Power Sector, recently
conducted a public hearing geared towards finding
solutions to the critical challenges that would enable
improved access to electricity supply nationwide.
Speaking during the opening session, the Ad-hoc
Chairman and Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Ado
Alhassan Doguwa said that the investigative hearing is a
platform for the House of Representatives to gather
adequate information that would guide it in providing
appropriate legislative intervention in the power sector
with a view to repositioning the sector for better service
delivery
by the Ag. MD/CEO of TCN, the Ad-hoc Chairman said that
the committee can only be guided to intervene in the
challenges of the power sector with the right information
from the power sector agencies. He lauded the operational
performance of TCN and pledged his committees support
in the area of improved budgetary allocations to cater for
abandoned power projects.
Other heads of agencies that made presentations during
the investigative hearing are the Chairman Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian
Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO),
Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Nigerian
Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc, Ministry of Power, and
Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) among others.

In his submission, the Acting Managing

Director/CEO of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz
explained the role TCN plays in the power sector and
the challenges the company faces in executing
power transmission projects across the country. He
lamented the poor budgetary allocations which he
said contributed to neglect of some critical projects.

Engr. Abdulaziz informed that besides funding,

TCN constantly encounters the challenges of Right
of Way (RoW) and payment of compensation for
Members of the House of Reps Ad hoc committee

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 13

 TCN NEWSLETTER
NON-COMPLIANCE TO MARKET RULES
IMPEDE POWER SECTOR GROWTH – MO
…As stakeholders call for separation of MO, ISO from TSP
L-R: Market Operator and Members of the Senate Committee on Power
I
ndiscipline and non-compliance to the Market Rules and
illiquidity in the sector have been identified as some of the
reasons for the continued dependence of the Nigeria
Electricity Market on the government for intervention, despite
the privatization of the sector since 2013.
The Market Operator, Engr. Edmund Eje, made this known
during a presentation at the public hearing titled “ Power Sector
Recovering Plan and Impact of COVID -19 Pandemic”, organized
by the Senate Committee on Power on Tuesday, 23rd June 2020,
at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Engr. Eje noted that since 2013 when private investors took over
the assets of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria
(PHCN) and signed Performance Agreements with respect to a
number of key performance indices, the sector has not
witnessed any improvement, rather, there has been a steady
decline and trading of blames to the detriment of Nigerians and
the economy.
“The average performance of the market when the private
investors took over in 2013 was 51%, but the 2019 average
performance is 26% for energy/capacity invoice and 73.5% for
Service Providers”, he said.
According to him, prior to the declaration of Transitional
Electricity Market (TEM) in 2015, two pre-conditions that gave
Market Participants (MP) including GENCOs, DISCOs and
Service Providers very high level of confidence were that the
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 14
By Eric Ephraim Ene
market would be able to fund and sustain itself
with the activation of the Market Participant
Agreement and Bank Guarantee (BG) as
Payment Assurance.
He said, “the Escrow system which should have
provided the much needed transparency in view
of the fact that the collected revenue is a trust
fund, was disorganized. The monthly invoice
payment fell below 30% and the revenue gap in
the Market continues to widen”.
He posited that more stringent measures
should be taken to rescue the market from
collapse, such as strict compliance to the Market
Rules by participants, granting of Cost-
Reflective Tariff to Discos based on performance, expulsion of
any participant from the Market on account of poor
performance, among others.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the Power Sector have called for the
immediate separation of Market Operator and Independent
System Operation from Transmission Company of Nigeria
(TCN) to enhance the transparency of the MO and to build
confidence among Market Participants.
This position was made known by the Chairman of Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Professor James
Momoh and representatives of Discos and Gencos during the
hearing.
According to Engr. Momoh, plans have been concluded to
commence public hearing on the unbundling of TCN into
Transmission Service Provider (TSP) and Independent System
Operation (ISO) with a view to ensuring more independent
administration of the Electricity Market devoid of bias.
In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee
on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswam noted that the public hearing
was an opportunity to galvanize stakeholders towards finding
lasting solutions to Nigeria's electricity challenges, as well as
align players in the value chain to achieve efficiency in the power
sector. Recommendations, he noted, would be forwarded to the
executive arm of the government for consideration and
implementation.
TCN NEWSLETTER
CHAD REPUBLIC
REQUESTS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
FROM NIGERIA
Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman
The government of Chad Republic has
T
formally requested the Nigerian government
to connect them to the Nigerian electricity
grid in order to ease the burden of power
supply in the country.
The Chadian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr.
Abakar Saleh Chachaimi who made the request when he led a
delegation on a working visit to the Nigeria Minister of Power,
Engr. Sale Mamman, recently in Abuja, said they were in
Nigeria to discuss how to connect electricity from Nigeria
through Maiduguri to Chad to enhance development.
According to him, “The major problem of Chad is lack of
power and the anticipated connection would be a life line. As
you know, Nigeria is a key player in the sub-region and we
request your due consideration in view of the historical
relations between the two countries”
Describing the need as pressing, Ambassador Chachaimi
stressed that the economic value of connecting Chad to
Nigeria's electricity grid is a way of
strengthening the existing collaboration
between the countries. He noted that “The major
Nigeria and Chad have had historical and
economic relationship through Borno and
problem of
the North of Chad, and that the request for Chad is lack of
electricity will further reinforce the power and the
relationship. anticipated
In his response, the Minister of Power,
Engr. Sale Mamman, assured the Chadian
connection
envoy that Nigeria will evaluate their would be a live
request with the view to enhancing the long line.
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 15
By Eric Ephraim Ene
Ambassador Abakar S. Chachaimi
existing relations between the two countries.
“The request from Chad Republic comes at the most
appropriate time, and I want to assure you that we will
evaluate and incorporate this request into projects we are
already planning to execute under the Transmission
Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme” he said.
For this to be properly done, TCN, he said, will have to come up
with a business plan and implementation modality which
would be communicated to the Presidency for necessary
approval. With the abundant gas resources in Nigeria, and
efforts by the present administration to strengthen the Power
Sector as well as improve the ease of doing business in the
country, Nigeria has the potential to generate and export
electricity at very low cost to the sub-region, he said.
The Minister further informed the Chadian delegation that
currently, Nigeria has bilateral contracts for supplying
electricity to Niger Republic and Benin Republic which have
been ongoing for decades and that under the West African
Power Pool (WAPP), an 875 kilometres 330
kV power transmission line would be built
under the North Core Transmission Line
Project to interconnect four countries in the
West African sub-region.
The meeting was also attended by the
Minster of State, Power, Permanent
Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, TCN
Ag. MD/CEO, Executive Directors of TCN
and Directors from the Federal Ministry of
Power.
TCN NEWSLETTER
TCN MANAGEMENT,
AFDB MEET
ON CRITICAL POWER
TRANSMISSION
PROJECTS
By Stella Ejikonye
Ag. MD/CEO TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz
The new Management of the Transmission Company of
Nigeria (TCN) led by the Ag. MD/CEO, Engr. Sule A.
Abdulaziz has met with the officials of the African
Development Bank (AfDB) to discuss some critical
challenges in financing as well as technical processes of
power transmission projects with a view to accelerating
their speedy execution.
Speaking at a virtual meeting held recently by the two
parties, Engr. S. A. Abdulaziz assured the AfDB team of the
full commitment of the new TCN Management towards
delivering on the Nigerian Transmission and Expansion
Project (NTEP 1), adding that he had headed several
projects in TCN and was working out strategies with the
Management team for accelerating the implementation
NTEP-1 projects.
Ag. MD/CEO TCN, ED TSP, and other management staff
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 16
Engr. S. A. Abdulaziz assured
the AfDB team of the full
commitment of the new TCN
management towards
delivering on the Nigerian
Transmission and Expansion
Project (NTEP 1)
He further briefed the AfDB team about TCN's strategic
plans so far. These, he said, include getting a consultant to
design the quad conductor transmission upgrade project,
and settlement of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) on the
projects Right of Way (RoW), among others.
The AfDB Nigeria Country Representative, Ebrima Faal,
on his part said that the forum provided opportunity to
assess some ongoing projects in TCN. He discussed
challenges facing AfDB/TCN projects, effectiveness of
AfDB loan to TCN, approval for fund disbursement,
subsidiary agreement, execution of project agreement
with the banks, documentation of project agreement,
Legal opinion from the Attorney General of the
Federation, environmental/social safety and composition
of the project team to kick start the project.
Mr Faal said there was need for TCN to urgently work with
the bank on the issues highlighted to expedite the funding
of the project.
The Director for Power Systems Development at AfDB,
Engr. Batchi Baldeh also congratulated the new acting
Managing Director and CEO of TCN, saying he looked
forward to having more robust working relationship with
TCN especially on the NTEP-1 even as he indicated the
banks interest in TCN's Eastern Back Bone project (NTEP-
2).
TCN NEWSLETTER
TCN
TO
EXECUTE
60KM
TRANSMISSION

LINE
PROJECT
IN
NASARAWA
STATE










LR: Ag. MD/CEO, TCN, GM (NAEPA) Nasarawa State
A
s part of efforts to strengthen the grid network and
deliver bulk power to distribution networks in the
country, the management of Transmission Company
of Nigeria (TCN) has said that it would continue the execution
of the 60km Double Circuit Akwanga – Lafia transmission line
in Nasarawa State.
The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of
TCN, Engr. Sule Abdullaziz made this known when he received
a delegation from Nasarawa State government on a courtesy
visit to TCN on Wednesday, 10th June, 2020, at its Corporate
Headquarters, Abuja.
Speaking, the leader of the delegation and the General
Manager, Nasarawa State Electric Power Agency (NAEPA),
Engr. Abubakar Danjuma Ango, who represented the State
Governor, said that they were in TCN to congratulate the
acting MD/CEO of TCN, Engr. Abdullaziz
on his appointment and solicit support for
the completion of all ongoing transmission
projects in the state.
Engr. Ango who expressed confidence in
the ability of the new management team to
move TCN to the next level, disclosed that
the state government was ready to
collaborate with TCN and would pay
compensation for the evacuation corridor
required for the transmission Right of Way Center: Ag. MD/CEO, TCN, Nasarawa delegates and TCN Management team
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 17
By Eric Ephraim. Ene
(RoW), to enable the timely execution of the 60km
Double Circuit Akwanga – Lafia 132/33kV
transmission line in the state.
He informed the meeting that the Federal
Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of
N1.8billion for the construction of a 40 megawatts
Hydro Power Plant by the Federal Ministry of
Water Resources in the state and noted that the
state government would want to partner with TCN
to evacuate power that would be generated from
the plant when completed, for the
industrialization of the state.
Responding, the Acting MD/CEO, Engr. Abdullaziz
stated that despite the ongoing 330/132kV substation project
being embarked upon by the Niger Delta Power Holding
Company (NDPHC) in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, TCN
would continue with the execution of the 132/33 kV
transmission substation in the state.
According to him, the TCN management would look into the
performance of the contractor handling the project with a view
to expediting action towards its completion.
On the request by the Nasarawa State Government for the
provision of a dedicated 33kV feeder to supply power to the
three arms zone in Lafia, Engr. Abdullaziz said TCN would be
willing to enter into a contract agreement with the state, if the
state meets all requirements stipulated by the Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) under the Eligible
Customer policy.
TCN NEWSLETTER
PA-NPSP, USAID PLEDGE SUPPORT
FOR TCN ON CAPACITY BUILDING
….As
Lagos
Signs
Power
Deal
with
USAID
on
Integrated
Resource
Plan
LR: Engr. A. Aguiyi (SA to Ag. MD), The Ag MD/CEO TCN, and Engr. A Tahir (TA to Ag. MD)
The Power Africa-Nigeria's Power Sector Program (PA-NPSP),
under the auspices of the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) have pledged their commitment to support
capacity building in Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on
Project Management and other training modules.
The Chief Party for PA-NPSP, Mrs. Mary Worzala made the pledge
during a virtual meeting with the new Acting Managing Director
and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule A. Abdulaziz on
Tuesday, 14th July 2020.
According to her, the agency was already working on a plan for
project management training, and urged TCN management to
liaise with their team on the training modules that would best fit
the need of the company. She also assured that they would render
the needed assistance to further strengthen the capacity of the
company.
The PA-NPSP, USAID team highlighted four key achievement of
the agency in the nation’s power sector to include; Energy
resources for private sector investment in gas supply, power
generation, transmission and distribution. They also collaborate
with World Bank, DFID and AfDB to fund projects and are looking
forward to supporting the Federal Government of Nigeria and
other stakeholders in ensuring power sector planning and
coordination.
Responding, the Ag. MD/CEO TCN, Engr. Sule A. Abdulaziz,
(Middle) Ag MD/CEO and Staff of TCN
By Eric Ephraim. Ene
expressed appreciation to the agency for the continued support to
TCN and assured that TCN will continue to synergize with them on
capacity development.
Lagos Signs Power Deal with USAID
Lagos State has signed a power deal with USAID to improve
electricity supply to millions of its residents and businesses within
the state. The agreement will position the state to effectively
launch the Lagos Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), under the Power
Africa-Nigeria's Power Sector Programme initiative (PA-NPSP).
At the virtual signing of the letter of agreement between the state
government and the United States' agency on Tuesday 14th July,
2020, the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said there was no better
place to start the journey towards improving access to electricity in
sub-Saharan Africa than in Nigeria.
He noted that “the integrated resource plan is a priority initiative
for Lagos State Government as it underpins our power reform
strategy to ensure access to reliable and affordable electricity to
residents becomes a reality”.
The governor expressed gratitude for the PA-NPSP initiative and
commended domestic stakeholders for their collective resolve to
ensure that the Lagos IRP becomes a reality.
In his remarks, USAID's Mission Director, Mr. Stephen Haykin,
said Power Africa recognizes the importance of reliable electricity
supply to Nigeria's present and future development. The Initiative,
he said, will serve as a critical planning process to meet consumers'
needs for electricity services in a way that satisfies multiple
objectives.
Also speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Tunde Gbajumo,
Deputy Chief of Party for PA-NPSP, emphasized the importance of
collaborating with relevant stakeholders such as gas suppliers,
generation companies, Eko and Ikeja Distribution companies, the
Transmission Company of Nigeria, Rural Electrification Agency
and the Federal Government of Nigeria to develop sustainable
solutions.
Participants at the ceremony include the Deputy Governor
of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat; Permanent Secretary,
Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,
Ahmed Mustapha; General Manager, Lagos State
Electricity Board as well as key representatives from TCN,
Rural Electrification Agency, Egbin Power Plc, Ikeja
Electric, and Eko Electricity Distribution Company.
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 18
TCN NEWSLETTER

NSE PRESIDENT COMMENDS FG'S

APPPOINTMENT OF
TCN'S NEW Ag. MD/CEO
By Ndidi Nbah

T he President of the Nigerian Society of

Eng ineers, Engr. Babagana
Mohammed, FNSE, has commended
the Federal Government for appointing Engr.
S. A. Abdulaziz as the new Ag. Managing
Director/Chief Executive Officer of the
Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN),
saying that the appointment was the best thing
the government has done for the NSE and the
country at large.

Engr. Mohammed gave the commendation

during a courtesy visit by the new Ag. MD/CEO
of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, to his
office on Thursday, 23rd July, 2020. LR: Ag. MD/CEO TCN, President NSE and President COREN

The NSE President noted that the appointment
was apt because the country is facing difficulties in the
power sector and requires a professional in the field of
engineering to find solutions to the issues which are
engineering based, and that the NSE is happy with the
appointment of Engr. Abdulaziz as the head of TCN. He
thanked the Federal Government for the appointment
and appealed to the government to equally look into
other engineering based organizations with the view to
ensuring that they are headed by qualified engineers.
He enjoined the Ag. MD/CEO TCN to do his best to live up
to expectation and not fail the engineering community
because his success or failure is the collective success or
failure for the nation's engineers.
Engr. Mohammed said that the NSE is always available to
offer professional assistance and advice whenever it is
called upon. He advised the new Ag MD/CEO to ensure
that he fosters team spirit among his Management team
so that the company can move forward. With proper
synergy, he said, the team can achieve a lot.
Also speaking during the visit, Engr. Ali A. Rabiu, the
President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in
Nigeria (COREN), acknowledged that the country is
facing very serious power challenge and prayed that the
Almighty would give the new Ag. MD/CEO of TCN the
wisdom to lead TCN to a better future.
Responding, the Ag. MD/CEO, Engr. Abdulaziz expressed
appreciation for the warm reception by the Presidents of
NSE and COREN and promised to do his best to move
TCN to the next level. According to him, “I have a team of
engineers who are equally experienced in the power
sector and I would continue to work with them to ensure
we achieve our goal for TCN, in line with the plan of the
present administration for the power sector”
He stated that he would welcome constructive ideas and
advice from the engineering bodies, saying that his team
would work closely with NSE and COREN, listen to
constructive criticisms even as TCN continues to work to
ensure that it further expands and improves grid
efficiency and reliability.
The new MD/CEO noted that even though TCN has its
challenges, he and his team are poised to do their best to
ensure remarkable change in the system. According to
him, “we know that there are problems but we would, by
God's grace ensure that there is significant change in the
nations grid moving forward” he said.

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 19

TCN NEWSLETTER
Minister of State, Power Mr Goddy Jedy-Agba addressing the 11th International Conference on Energy in Abuja
T he Federal Government has reaffirmed its
commitment to deliver 30GigaWatts of electricity to
Nigerians with at least 30 percent of it from
renewable energy sources by the year 2030 under its "vision
3030:30".
The Minister of State, Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, made
this known during his address at the 11th International
Conference on Energy, Power Systems Operation and
Planning (ICEPSOP) Forum 2020 with the theme
"Empowering Micro Grid with Smart Grid Attributes
Development in United States and Africa” organised by the
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Agba said he was pleased to note that the conference did not
follow the usual path of finding faults and dwelling on the
intractable problems of the power sector in Nigeria, but was
aimed at generating home grown solutions to address the
issues of accessible, reliable and affordable electricity to
Nigerians.
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 20
The Minister also stated that several educational institutions
are making efforts to provide their own electricity through
renewable energy sources, especially solar, citing as examples,
Kano and Ife. This, he said, is a step in the right direction, and
with the involvement of the younger generation, there is hope
for a brighter future since home grown technological
innovations are needed to address the challenges of the sector.
According to him, "metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity
system has continued to be a major challenge to efficient service
delivery. On-going research by local manufacturers to offer
smart meters presents hope that lack of suitable meters in our
network will be a thing of the past".
He commended the initiative of the National Agency for Science
and Engineering Infrastructure (NASEI) for mass producing
smart meters for electricity consumers in the country.
Mr. Agba further urged NERC to ensure that decisions reached
at the conference are implemented accordingly.
TCN NEWSLETTER
The Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission
(NERC) and host of the conference, Professor James A.
Momoh, in his welcome address earlier, identified the
concerns of Nigerians to include access to energy, availability,
reliability and quality of supply, lack of meters, system losses,
infrastructure misalignment and affordability of cost-
reflective tariffs.
According to him, "the conference will provide the required
atmosphere to explore innovative regulatory approaches in
promoting efficient and competitive service delivery
involving deployment of smart and micro - grid technologies,
access to adequate power, cost reflective tariffs, automation
of review processes and enhancement in data analytics".
Prof. Momoh added that the conference would also provide
new markets of willing buyer, willing seller models,
franchising, embedded generation, Mini-grids, Flexible and
Secure Energy Sources as well as redesigned network
structure comprising hybrid of networks, smart grid
technology and distributed generation capabilities.
The former Managing Director/CEO of the Transmission
Company of Nigeria, Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, who
chaired the concluding session of the conference, explained
that TCN was working towards integrating solar power with a
grant from the European Union, and plans to construct a
7th from left, Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, flanked by (left), NERC’s Commissioner in Charge of Engineering
Performance Monitoring, Prof Frank Okafor, (right) NERC Chairman, Prof James Momoh,
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 21
the conference will provide the required atmosphere
to explore innovative regulatory approaches in promoting
efficient and competitive service delivery involving
deployment of smart and micro - grid technologies,
access to adequate power, cost reflective tariffs,
automation of review processes and enhancement
in data analytics
330kv transmission line from Katsina to Guiwa through Daura,
Kura and Jogana for the evacuation of solar energy from Guiwa
Independent Power Plant (IPP).
He also advised that the procurement method used for the
current 14 solar power generation companies be changed to
competitive procurement model so that Nigeria would be able to
attract reasonable pricing which can be much less than the
present charge of 7.5 cents per kilowatt hour.
The conference had experts and scholars from different parts of
the country and the United States including Dr. Robin Podmore,
IEEE Smart Village, USA, Moses Garuba, Associate Dean,
College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA), Howard
University and Prof. Ali Mehrizi-Sani, Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), VA, USA.
 TCN NEWSLETTER
TCN OF ANCILLARY SERVICE CHARGE SEEKS NERC APPROVAL FOR REVIEW
(L-R) NERC Commissioner Legal, Licencing and Compliance Mr Dafe Akpeneye, Chairman of the Panel and Vice Chairman of NERC,
Engr. Sanusi Garba and Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, Dr Moses Arigo during the public hearing in Abuja.
T CN has made a case at NERC's public hearing for the
Review of Ancillary Service Tariff from the present rate
of N0.056/Kwh to N0.75/Kwh, to enable procurement
of 260MW Secondary Reserve including black-start events for
grid security, stability and reliability in the Nigerian Electricity
Supply Industry (NESI).
The Market Operator, Engr. Edmund Eje justified the need for
the review of ancillary services tariff during a presentation on
behalf of TCN at the Public Hearing on the Review of
Extraordinary Tariff for Electricity organized by NERC, on
Monday, 16th March 2020, at NERC headquarters, Abuja.
Engr. Eje, stated that the provision of adequate Ancillary
Service will enable Nigeria Electricity Market (NEM) achieve
system security, safety and reliability, reduce the risk of system
collapse, make restoration of supply easy and at the same time
mitigate damages to the generation turbine blades. He further
mentioned other benefits like: reduction in outage hours for
distribution, transmission and generating equipment,
ensuring the integrity of NEM, ensuring that the Discos serve
their customers more reliably, as well as enhance the market
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 22
By Eric Ephraim Ene
liquidity and power quality.
According to him, in line with the Grid Code, it is the role of the
System Operator (SO) to control the grid. The SO is mandated
to harmonize, coordinate and optimize effective operation of
the grid to maintain stability, safety and reliability even as it
carries out security constrained economic dispatch.
He explained that ancillary services employed by the System
Operator to smoothen grid operation include: Voltage
Regulation, Black –Start and Operating Reserve which
comprise the Primary and Secondary Reserves.
Engr. Eje noted that the Primary Reserve is represented by the
Free Governor Mode of Operation which is mandatory for all
generators connected to the grid. It is a Grid Code compliance
requirement that all on-grid generators provide the Primary
Reserve by synchronizing with the automatic load ramp down
according to their capacities. The Primary Reserve, he said, is
not paid for unlike the Secondary Reserve.
He further explained that the Secondary Reserve, which is the
Spinning Reserve, comes into play when Power Demand is
 TCN NEWSLETTER

higher than supply during contingency

situations. It is a supply that is paid for by the
market. Any generator with the capability is
engaged through a Spinning Reserve
Purchase Agreement.

He noted that the system has largely

achieved Primary Reserve through the
enforcement of Free Governor Mode of
Operation, and stated that the absence of
Spinning Reserve or the Secondary Reserve
was responsible for the unabated frequency
roaming and instability being experienced in
the system.

In further advancing the justification for the

review, Engr. Eje, said that the only ancillary
service presently being paid for by the
Market Operator was the Black – Start since Market Operator, Engr. Edmund Eje, during his presentation
2015. at the public hearing in Abuja

Engr. Eje said further that if approved by the
Regulator, the provision of the procured Spinning Reserve
would be reviewed every six months, taking into consideration
the progress it has made in power grid stability.
Speaking also in support of the review for Ancillary Service, the
former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN,
Mr Usman Gur Mohammed said the request for the provision
of Spinning Reserve on the national power grid was to
complement the Primary Reserve for an improved system
stability.
He assured stakeholders that TCN will adequately deploy the
Spinning Reserve for the overall success of the Nigerian
electricity grid as soon as NERC grants approval. Generating
companies, he noted, have not been willing to provide this
service because the task was not incentivised.
The Chairman of the three-man Tariff Review Panel and the
Vice Chairman of NERC, Engineer Sanusi Garba said the
hearing was to allow stakeholders understand the justification
for providing the Spinning Reserve and noted that the
Commission will quickly make decision on the presentation.

TCN Management Team lead by the former MD/CEO Mr U.G Mohammed with other stakeholders at the public hearing in Abuja

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 23

TCN NEWSLETTER
NUEE EXECUTIVES VISIT TCN NEW
MANAGEMENT, PLEDGE SUPPORT
T
he representatives of the National Executives of the
National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) paid
a familiarization visit to the new Acting Managing
Director/CEO of TCN, Engr. S. A. Abdulaziz and his
management team.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Comrade Wisdom
Nwachukwu stated that it has been a tradition for the TCN in-
house unions to felicitate with any new Management to
ensure cordial working relationship and also secure a friendly
atmosphere especially as regards staff welfare.
According to him, the visit affords the union opportunity to
discuss some pending issues on staff welfare and also forge a
way forward to further advancing TCN. He informed that they
came in peace to express solidarity and assured the
management of their total support as long as the
management adheres to agreements.
In his remarks, the Acting MD/CEO, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz
appreciated the union executives for the visit, and promised
to work with them while soliciting for more cooperation as
well as peaceful working environment as his administration's
strategic plan unfolds. He said “As an old staff who grew up in
the system and has served the organization for over twenty
Ag. MD/CEO, TCN Management team and NUEE Executives
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 24
By Stella Ejikonye
years as officer in charge of projects, nothing is new. I
understand the workings of TCN, appreciate the Union as well
as staff yearnings”.
According to him, staff welfare remains one of his topmost
priorities and promised to do his best to ensure that he and his
team leave a legacy by the end of their tenure.
He revealed that he will re-introduce the original TCN
organogram to enable staff promotion as events unfolds and
disclosed his willingness to advance TCN's wheeling capacity
for better service delivery to Nigerians.
Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Director (Finance &
Account), Mr. Ahmed Isah Dutse, told the union executives
not to entertain fear on the operations of the newly appointed
Management team, emphasizing that staff welfare will not be
undermined.
Speaking also, the Executive Director (Human Resources &
Corporate Services) Mr. Justin Dodo, advocated for peace and
maximum support as enjoyed by the previous administration.
He urged the NUEE executives to seek for peaceful resolutions
to misunderstandings and assured them of good working
relationship.
NUEE Executives
 Ag. MD/CEO, TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz in a group picture with Executives of SEAEC TCN branch

SSAEC, TCN BRANCH PAY COURTESY

VISIT TO NEW Ag. MD/CEO By Ndidi Mbah

T he TCN Branch of Senior Staff Association of

Electricity Workers and Allied Companies have
pledged her support and solidarity to the new Ag.
MD/CEO of TCN and his Management team, while urging
that they take TCN to the next level regarding operational
visit, noting that he is a union-friendly person, and promised to
work harmoniously with the labour.

The Ag. MD/CEO who was appreciative, promised not to

efficiency and staff welfare.
The SSAEC branch Executives led by its Branch President,
Comrade Bidemi Dairo, made this known during a courtesy
visit to the new Ag. MD/CEO of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz in
his office recently.
withhold from staff, their benefit, promotions and prompt
payment of salary, but however sued for peaceful coexistence
between the two in-house unions for enhanced productivity,
saying that his doors are open for constructive and productive
inputs that would move the company forward.

He enjoined SSEAC TCN Branch and National to come together

Engr. Dairo noted that the focus of the union is on promoting
in unity so as to bring about peaceful co-existence in the
peace and harmony in TCN with particular emphasis on staff
welfare, and urged the Ag. MD/CEO to pay closer attention to company. There is need for unity.
improving the well-being of TCN staff.

According to him, the new Ag. MD/CEO has been part of the
TCN family and expectedly, it would be easier for him to
leverage on that to attend to areas that need improvement in
the system because he knows the system better as an insider,
being one of us. He assured that the Union will also give due
attention to their primary assignments as staff of TCN, first
before any other secondary assignment, for improved
productivity in the company.

Responding, Engr. Abdulaziz expressed appreciation for their

Executives of SSAEC TCN Branch

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 25

TCN NEWSLETTER
TCN SIGNS MoU WITH
EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT
T he Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the Government of Ekiti State on the
construction of the Ado Ekiti – Ilupeju and Ado Ekiti – Ijesha
Ishu 132kV transmission line and associated 2x60MVA
132/33kV substations at Ilupeju and Ijesha Ishu within the
state. The MoU was signed on Tuesday, 25th February, 2020,
in the office of the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State.
The state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, represented by his
deputy, Otumba Bisi Egbeyemi, expressed delight that the
MoU would result in new transmission lines as well as two
new substations that would help ameliorate the poor
electricity supply situation in the state. He stated that
presently, the state has only one number 132kV transmission
substation which is very inadequate for the state and
expressed optimism that the projects when completed, would
provide conducive environment for industrial development
in Ekiti State.
He noted that his administration was deeply concerned about
improving infrastructural projects, to help the citizens attain
(Right), Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otumba Bisi Egbeyemi, signing the MoU on behalf of his State while
ED (TSP), Engr Victor Adewumi and GM Legal Mrs Fatima Muhtar look on
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 26
economic stability and ultimately revolutionize the state. He
therefore urged TCN to look at the place of Ekiti State in its
network with the view to improving TCN's presence and
boosting bulk supply to the state, to enable the government
achieve its five-cardinal program for its citizens.
The deputy governor assured that the state would create an
enabling environment for TCN to effectively complete the
project, noting that the people of the state have lost confidence
in the power sector and that there is need for TCN to help re-
build confidence again. He called on other stakeholders in the
power sector to endeavor to upgrade their facilities and urged
that they also develop synergy among themselves to enable
them ultimately provide better service to electricity consumers
in the state.
Earlier, while welcoming the TCN team to Ekiti State, the
Commissioner for Public Utilities, Hon. Dele Fagbanusi said that
the MoU signifies physical attempt to reduce the perpetual low
power voltage and positively impact economic activities in the
lives of the 82,300 electricity consumers within the 134
communities in the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
TCN NEWSLETTER

According to him, the signing of the MoU is a result of the provision of land for the two substation projects on the
Governor's commitment to finding solution to the poor Government of Ekiti State, while TCN would be responsible for
power situation in the state. The state, he explained, would procuring the equipment, all engineering works/installation
take care of Right of Way for the transmission lines and and commissioning of the substations and lines.
provide land for the two substations while TCN would
procure all equipment, install and commission the projects. With the execution of the MoU between TCN and Ekiti
He appealed to TCN to complete the projects on time. government, TCN would now commence processes leading to
contract award and execution.
Speaking, the Head TSP-TCN, Engr. Victor Adewumi said that
TCN would kick start the 132kV double circuit lines and the
two substations projects at Ilupeju and Ijesha Ishu
simultaneously.

He acknowledged that the singular 132kV transmission

substation in the state was grossly inadequate, which is why He acknowledged that the singular
TCN is collaborating with the state government to construct
the two transmission lines and two substations. On 132kV transmission substation in
completion of these projects, the voltage profile of electricity the state was grossly inadequate,
in the state would normalize. He noted that the collaboration
with the state would ensure faster delivery of the projects which is why TCN is collaborating
which he said can be completed by the end of the second with the state government to
quarter of 2021.
The MoU specifically put the responsibility of providing the construct the two transmission
Right of Way (RoW) for the transmission project and the lines and two substations.

TCN Management and officials from Ekiti State Government during the occasion

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 27

 TCN NEWSLETTER
WAPP EMBARKS ON EXECUTION OF CRITICAL
TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENHANCE
REGIONAL ELECTRICITY TRADE
CON
T
he Director of the North Core Project, one of
the priority projects of the West African
Power Pool (WAPP), Engr. Mailele Djibril,
in this interview, speaks on the implementation
process so far and how the project will connect
Nigeria and three countries up to the Republic of
Burkina Faso with critical transmission
infrastructure to enhance regional electricity
trade. Excerpts;
NORTH CORE PROJECT IS ONE OF THE PRIORITY CORE
PROJECTS OF WAPP INVESTMENT MASTER PLAN,
WHAT DOES IT AIM TO ACHIEVE?
The ECOWAS member countries, through the West African
Power Pool (WAPP) are setting up a large electricity market to
allow reliable and affordable electricity supply to citizens. This
however needs infrastructures that was captured inside a
unified investment Master Plan comprising:
- Electricity generation facilities where affordable
- Transmission facilities (lines and substations) to
interconnect Grids/Networks and allow energy exhange
- IT platform for Energy Trading being implemented at
Cotonou (WAPP-ICC)
In the framework of interconnecting Grids, many projects were
identified to be priority projects since they should allow energy
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 28
-FASO
to be traded among ECOWAS member countries:
- COASTAL BACKBONE (Cote d'Ivoire – Ghana –
Benin/Togo – Nigeria)
- INTERZONAL HUB (Ghana – Burkina Faso – Mali)
- OMVG – OMVS (Guinea – Guinea Bissau- Gambia – Senegal
- Mali – Mauritania)
- CLSG (Cote d'Ivoire – Liberia – Siera Leone – Guinea)
NORTH CORE (Nigeria- Niger – Benin/Togo – Burkina
Faso) is the last link that should allow the minimum
required interconnectivity to exchange energy among West
Africa Countries.
WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, ESPECIALLY AS
IT CONCERNS TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE
ACROSS BENEFITING COUNTRIES?
The infrastructure mainly comprises 875km of 330kV double
circuit transmission lines from Birnin Kebbi (Nigeria) all the
way to Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) through Zabori (Niger)
and Gorou Banda (Niger) and from Zabori (Niger) to Malanville
(Benin). In addition, we have 24km of 225kV transmission
lines in Burkina Faso to loop the grid inside Ouagadougou
town. Five substations (Zabori and Gorou Banda in Niger,
Ouaga East and Ouaga South-East in Burkina Faso, Malanville
in Benin) are involved in that project as well and some
additional SCADA and SVC's. So, in Nigeria we have 62km, in
Niger we have 420km, in Burkina Faso we have 381km and in
TCN NEWSLETTER

totaling

Director, (North Core Project), Engr. Mailele Djbril

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 29

TCN NEWSLETTER

TCN COMMISSIONS NINE

30MVA Power Transformer in Egbin Transmission Substation, 45MVA 132/33kV power transformer in Apapa 132/33kV
Lagos State Transmission Substation, Lagos State

300MVA 330/132/33kV power transformer in Asaba Transmission Substation, Delta State

40MVA mobile transformer in New Etsako Transmission 60MVA 132/33kV transformer at Ajah Transmission
Substation, Delta State Substation, Lagos State

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 30

TCN NEWSLETTER
POWER TRANSFORMERS
60MVA 132/33kV power transformer in Gusau
Transmission Substation, Zamfara State
T CN engineers have installed nine power transformers
this year. The transformers, which vary in capacity
from 30MW to 300MW, were installed by TCN
engineers and have all been connected to the national grid.
The transformers include the following:
100MVA Power Transformer in Ogba Substation,
Lagos State
On January 7th, 2020, a new 100MVA 132/33kV power
transformer was energized in Ogba Transmission
Substation, Lagos State. The newly energized transformer
which was installed under supervision of TCN engineers has
increased the capacity of the substation from 165MVA to
265MVA.
Prior to the installation of the 100MVA power transformer,
Ogba Substation had a total of two (2) units of 60MVA
132/33kV power transformers and one (1) unit of 45MVA
132/33kV mobile power transformer. To ensure optimal
utilization of the newly installed power transformer, a brand
new switchyard made up of 132kV, 33kV and three (3)
number 33kV feeder bays was equally installed and
commissioned.
The increase in the substation's capacity, from 165MVA to
265MVA, means that the substation has more bulk
electricity available for Ikeja Disco to take to its customers
within Ikeja Industrial Area, and environs.
To optimize the capacity of the newly commissioned
100MVA at Ogba and other substations feeding Ikeja
Distribution Company, TCN has already imported high
capacity conductors and would soon conclude on
reconductoring contract that will expand capacity of the
transmission lines supplying the substation. This will
substantially increase the current capacity of the lines.
40MVA Mobile Transformer in New Etsako Substation,
Edo State
On the 9th of January, 2020, TCN energized a newly installed
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 31
By Ndidi Mbah
100MVA 132/33kV power transformer in Ogba
Transmission Substation, Lagos State
40MVA, 132/33kV mobile power transformer in the new Estako
Transmission Substation.
The 40MVA 132/33kV mobile transformer was completed
through collaboration between TCN and Edo State
Government, where the State Government built the control
room while TCN's in-house engineers installed other substation
equipment and commissioned the substation. The new
substation provides relief to existing Irrua Substation in the
state, as some areas previously served by Irrua would now take
supply from the new Etsako Substation.
With the new 40MVA Etsako substation, TCN now has
increased transformer capacity which translates to increased
bulk power for the Benin Electricity Distribution Company's to
take to customers within its franchise area.
300MVA Transformer in Asaba Substation, Delta State
On the 10th of January, 2020, for the first time, TCN energized
a 300MVA 330/132/33kV capacity power transformer installed
by TCN in-house engineers.
The new Asaba 300MVA 330/132/33kV capacity power
transfor mer replaced a decommissioned 150MVA
330/132/33kV Siemens brand transformer, commissioned by
NIPP on the 15th of February, 2015.
60MVA Power Transformer in Aja Substation,
Lagos State
On 27th January 2020, TCN commissioned another 60MVA at
the Aja 132/33kV transmission Substation, Lagos State. Before
the installation and commission of the new power transformer,
the transformer capacity of the substation was 220MVA, this
has now increased to 280MVA.
The transformer which was installed by TCN contractor has
increased the capacity of the substation by 48MW increasing
available bulk electricity for Eko Distribution Company to take
to its customers in Aja and environs
 TCN NEWSLETTER

Before the newly energized 300MVA power transformer was
installed, TCN temporarily fed the Asaba Transmission
Substation through the Onitsha-Asaba 330kV transmission
line connected to the Onitsha - GCM 132/33kV transmission
line. This restricted maximum load transmission on Onitisha
– Asaba transmission line.
With the commissioning of the new 300MVA power
transformer, TCN now has available 240MW bulk electricity
available in Asaba TS, that would enable Benin Electricity
Distribution Company (BEDC) distribute more stable
electricity to its customers in Asaba Metropolis and environs.
transformer and its associated 132/33kV bays was commissioned
at Iseyin Transmission Station, Oyo State.
This increased the wheeling capacity of the substation from
40MVA to 70MVA and consequently the quantum of power
available for Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to
take to its customers in Oyo State and environs.
The transformer installation project was initially contracted out
on the 31st of May, 2013, taken over and completed in-house by
TCN engineers.

60MVA Power Trasnformer in Gusau Substation,

Zamfara State
On the 23rd of January 2020, a 45/60MVA power transformer
was commissioned in TCN's Gusau Transmission Substation,
Zamfara State. This upgraded the substation's capacity from
60MVA to 120MVA. The new transformer was installed by
TCN engineers and has increased bulk supply to Kaduna
Electricity Distribution Company for consumers supplied
from Gusau Substation.

30MVA Power Transformer in Egbin Substation, Lagos

State
Also, on the 23rd of January 2020, a 30MVA power
transformer was commissioned in Egbin Substation. With the
additional 30MVA at 132kV level, the communities around
Egbin can be supplied directly from the station. The
installation was carried out wholly by TCN engineers.

45MVA Power Transformer in Apapa Road Substation,

Lagos State
On the 24th January 2020, TCN commissioned a 45MVA
132/33kV power transformer in its Apapa Road Substation.
This is in view of the planned rehabilitation of the Apapa Gas 45 MVA Transformer at Ilupeju Transmission Substation, Lagos
Insulated Substation (GIS) in Lagos. TCN engineers installed
and energized the 45MVA 132/33kV power transformer
which has been connected to the grid. The transformer would
provide alternative source of power supply to Ikeja Disco for
consumers in Apapa and environs.

45 MVA Power Transformer in Ilupeju Substation, Lagos

State.
On 22nd June, 2020, TCN energized a brand new 45MVA
132/33kV power transformer at its Ilupeju 132/33kV
Transmission Sub-Station, Lagos. The power transformer was
installed in-house by TCN engineers. The 45MVA power
transformer is a replacement to a faulty 45MVA power
transformer which had been faulty and disused in the station.
The new power transformer has increased bulk power
transmission to Ikeja Distribution Company for its customers
especially in Igbobi area and environs.

30MVA Power Transformer in Iseyin Substation, Oyo

State
60MVA Power Transformer in Aja Transmission Substation, Lagos
On the 19th July, 2020, a brand new 30MVA 132/33kV power

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 32

 TCN NEWSLETTER

The installed capacities and locations of the transformers are listed in the table below.
TCN is diligently implementing the rehabilitation and expansion of the nation's grid with the goal of ensuring a very robust and
efficient transmission network. The Company is determined to ensure that all on-going transmission projects across the
country under its Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP) are completed on time.

S/N Substation Substation New Distribution Additional

Capacity Before Transformer Companies Capacity
New Transformer Capacity Affected to TCN’s
Installation Grid
1. OGBA 2x60MVA 100MVA IKEJA DISCO 80MW
1x45MVA 132/33kV
2. ASABA 1x150MVA 300MVA BEDC DISCO 240MW
2x60MVA 330/132kV
3. ETSAKO 1x40MVA 40MVA BEDC DISCO 32MW
132/33kV mobile
transformer
4. AJAH 3x150MVA 60MVA EKO DISCO 48MW
2x60MVA 132/33kV
1x100MVA
5. APAPA 2x45MVA 45MVA EKO DISCO 36MW
132/33kV
6. GUSAU 60MVA KAEDCO 48MW
132/33kV DISCO
7. EGBIN 2x150MVA 30MVA IKEJA DISCO 36MW
330/132/33kV 132/33 kV
8. ILUPEJU 45MVA IKEJA DISCO 36MW
132/33kV
9. ISEYIN 40MVA IBADAN DISCO 36MW
132/33kV

INSTALLATION WORK ON 40 MVA 132/33kV

POWER TRANSFORMER IN BICHI COMMENCES
By: Maimuna Isah- Ladan

C
ivil works for the installation of a brand new 40MVA
132/33kV transformer in Bichi Local Government Area
of Kano State has commenced. This was made known by
the Ag. Managing Director/CEO of the Transmission Company of
Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, on Friday, 10th July 2020
when he paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Kano
State, Alh. Umar Ganduje.
The Managing Director revealed that he was in Kano to monitor
ongoing work at the project site, and assured that as soon as
ground work is completed, the installation of the transformer will
be done within three months. The transformer would be installed
under the 132Kv Kano/ Kankia/Katsina Line 1 at Bichi Local
Government Area.
Engr. Abdulaziz said the installation of the transformer would
boost electricity in seven Local Government Areas of Kano State.
He explained that the project was facilitated by the state
governor, who has demonstrated a huge level of commitment to
address persistent power outage in Bichi. He also thanked the
member representing Bichi Federal Constituency, Mr. Abubakar
Kabir, for bearing the entire cost of the civil works involved in the
project as well as shouldering the responsibility of providing for
the people handling the project.
The Executive Governor while welcoming the Ag. Managing
Director, commended the Federal Government for the
installation of the transmission sub-station in Bichi, adding that
it would trigger a post Covid -19 economic recovery for the state.
He said the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari and the
Honourable Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman, to assist the
state to revive its economy, especially in the aftermath of the
challenges of the Covid -19 pandemic was highly appreciated.
Governor Ganduje said the project will boost socio-economic
activities in Bichi and seven other Local Government Areas within
the vicinity of Bichi Local Government Area.
He added that the installation of the transformer was a big
development and assured that his government would take
necessary steps to protect the transformer from acts of
vandalism.

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 33

TCN NEWSLETTER
PIU
RESPONSIBLE FOR
MANAGEMENT OF
T he Project Implementation Unit (PIU) under the
Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), is
presently undertaking various processes that would
enable the effective implementation of World Bank funded
transmission projects around the country.
The Project Manager for World Bank projects in TCN, Engr.
Dahiru Isiaku, who made this known during an interview in
his office in Abuja said “our responsibility is to provide
project contract management for those identified
transmission projects. We have a project portfolio of about
$486m which is part of the $1.661b donor fund available for
TCN projects. The World Bank project includes 3 key
transmission projects”.
According to him, projects funded by the World Bank under
PIU include; rehabilitation & reconstruction of transmission
substations, reconductoring of transmission lines, and
provision of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
(SCADA).
He explained that the PIU has different credit facilities
negotiated by the Federal Government. One ended in
December 2018 while the existing one, the Nigerian
Electricity Transmission Access Project (NETAP), became
effective in June 2019. The PIU, he said, operates under
strict guidelines. “Once projects are articulated and agreed
by TCN and the World Bank, the next step is to ensure
procurement of our engineering consultancy services and
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 34
Projects Manager, (TCN World Bank Projects) Engr. Dahiru Isiaku
By Stella Ejikonya
eligible competent contractors that will eventually execute
these projects”.
According to him, these processes start from expression of
interest for engineering services for consultants, pre-
qualification of contractors who will be eligible to carry out
these contracts, then request for bid from the qualified
contractors that have been pre-qualified. The pre-qualified
contractors now collect tender documents, complete them and
submit. The submission, he noted, include both technical and
financial bid for evaluation according to World Bank guidelines.
The submissions are then reviewed by the tender board and the
lowest evaluated responsive bidder awarded the contract for
implementation.
Engr Dahiru further stated that the management of TCN is
focused on having a functional SCADA system for effective and
efficient monitoring of the grid system which the World Bank is
funding. TCN management, he said, is also extensively training
personnel that would be part of the project implementation of
the SCADA system.
Engr. Dahiru noted that the World Bank projects under the
Nigerian Electricity Transmission Access Project (NETAP) are
brown-field which has to do with rehabilitating and
reinforcement of power equipment in existing transmission
substations and lines across the country. He added that the
completion of these projects will increase the wheeling capacity
of TCN to about 8,731MW, with additional 1.422km of
transmission line projects.
 TCN NEWSLETTER

ABUJA FEEDING
SCHEME TO
ENHANCE BULK
POWER DELIVERY
The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Transmission Company
of Nigeria (TCN) carried out joint inspection of the sites for
construction of the new 2x150MVA, 3x60MVA, 330/132/33kV
Transmission Substation at New Apo (Pigba), and the new 2x60MVA,
132/33kV Transmission Substation, Wumba-Lokogoma in
conjunction with the Project Consultant and representatives of the
Donor Agency-AFD (Agence Francaise de Developpement), on Friday,
21st February 2020 in Abuja. The project when completed will
increase bulk power delivery to FCT. In this interview, the Project
Manager for AFD funded projects in TCN, Engr. Mrs. Jane Okemini,
speaks on the level of project execution, expected impact of the project
and other issues with the TCN Transmission News. Excerpts: Project Manager, (AFD), Engr. Jane Okemini

Question: What is Abuja feeding Scheme all about?
Abuja feeding scheme is a project financed by the French
Development Agency and is entirely a Green Field Project that
will construct five new substations in Abuja and bring new
supply route to Abuja through Lafia in Nasarawa State, bringing
to three the 330kV supply routes to Abuja, viz; Ajaokuta, Shiroro
and Lafia. The new substations to be built in Abuja are 330kV
substations in Apo and Lugbe and 132kV Substations in
Lokogoma, Gwarinpa and Kuje.
Question: Can you tell us the stage of implementation of the
Abuja Feeding Scheme?
We have completed the initiation, which is basically what we call
the project identification processes and planning which involves
all the studies that are carried out majorly the Environmental
and social safeguards which includes:
i. ESMP-Environment and Social Management Plan
ii. ESIA- Environment and Social Impact Assessment.
iii. RAP- Resettlement Action Plan.
We are presently on project execution, Monitoring/supervision.
Question: What is the impact of this project on the expansion of
transmission network within Abuja?
The project will add 5 number of transmission substations
which include 2 number 330/132/33kV substations, 3 number
132/33kV substations, 143KM of 330kV transmission lines
respectively. This will also increase the network capacity,
flexibility, and service delivery to Abuja Disco.
Question: What are the major steps involved in this project
implementation?
In summary the processes are as follows;
i. Engineering: Route/Topographical surveys, geotechnical
investigation, site clearing and Engineering designs.
ii. P r o c u r e m e n t : P l a c i n g o f e q u i p m e n t o r d e r s ,
manufacturing of the equipment in line with the approved
designs, factory acceptance test, shipping, custom
clearing, Haulage and receipt at the various sites.
iii. Construction: This includes the electromechanical and
civil works (Erection/installation). When all these
activities have been completed, then testing and
commissioning of the project will be carried out after the
project is closed.
Question: What are the challenges that you have experienced in
this project and how did you mitigate them?
The major challenging factors so far have been the occasional
environmental and social challenge that arise with potential
delay to the project. We deal with the challenges as they arise on
their merit. In some cases, we revert to the existing
agreement/processes to adequately resolve the concerns of
affected communities or persons.
Question: As the manager, what motivates you?
My primary motivation is the commitment and support of
MD/CEO TCN and the management team for the successful
delivery of the project. Also the fact that this project will
positively impact the socio-economic lives of the inhabitants of
Abuja and its environs and by extension, Nigeria at large. This is
certainly a thing of joy to me.

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 35

TCN NEWSLETTER

KNOW YOUR

SUBSTATIONS

330/132/33kV
AJAH TRANSMISSION SUBSTATION

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 36

 TCN NEWSLETTER
EARTHING SYSTEM FOR
HIGH VOLTAGE (HV)
AC TRANSMISSION SUBSTATIONS
Introduction:
Earthing or grounding practices adapted
at transmission substations and lines are
of great importance. It is however
observed that this item is most often
neglected. They are skipped, considering
them as too elementary or even
unimportant. Indeed, they are important
to every practicing engineer in charge of
substations. Earthing system must be
well designed, maintained and future
expansion must be taken into account
while designing the dimension of earth
mat.
The purpose of earthing are:
1. Protection to personnel
2. Protection to the plant and
3.Improvement in service quality and
reliability
Non- current carrying parts with
conducting surface such as tanks of
Power Transformers, and frame work of
circuit breakers, structural steel works in
switch yard instrument transformer
cases, lightning arresters and armoured
cables armouring should be effectively
grounded for protection of equipments
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 37
and operating personnel. E ar th
connections of all equipments should be
made in duplicate.
Connecting lead should have sufficient
current carrying capacity. Lightning
arresters should have independent earth
electrode which should be inter
connected to the station grounding
system. All paints, enamel, seals should
be removed from the point of contact of
metal surfaces before earth connections
are made. The resistances of earth
system should not exceed 1 ohms for
330/132kV Sub Stations. Suitable
grounding mat should be provided in the
substation.
The Following Should be Earthed in
HV Substations:
* The neutral point of the systems of
different voltages which have to be
earthed.
* Apparatus, frame work and other non-
current carrying metal work associated
with the system, for example
transformer tanks, switch gear frame
work etc.
* Extraneous metal frame work not
By Engr. Ismail Inuwa Dalhatu
associated with the power systems,
for example, boundary, fence, steel
structures etc.
Functions of Earthing System:
Earthing or grounding means an
electrical connection to the general
mass of earth to provide safe
passage to fault current to enable it
to operate protective devices and
provide safety to personnel and
Equipments.
A Substation Earthing System Has
to Satisfy Four Requirements:
* The earthing system must provide
an environment which is free from
the possibility of fatal electric shock.
* The earthing system must provide
a low impedance path for fault and
earth leakage currents to pass to
earth.
* The earthing conductors must
possess sufficient thermal capacity
to pass the highest fault current for
the required time and must be able
to dissipate high fault current
repeatedly.
* The earthing conductors must
have sufficient mechanical strength
 TCN NEWSLETTER
Ÿand corrosion resistance.
Earthing is Broadly Divided Into:
System Grounding (System Earthing)
Equipment Grounding (Safety Grounding)
System Grounding:
It is a connection to the ground of a part of
the plant forming part of the operating
circuits for example the star point of the
transformer or the neutral conductor. The
grounding of the lightning arresters also
comes under system grounding. The
provision of system grounding reduces to
considerable extent the magnitude of the
transient over voltages and there by
increases the life of electrical equipment
besides minimizing the ser vices
interruptions.
Thus the fundamental purpose of system
grounding is the protection of installation
and improvement in quality of service. The
system grounding will also ensure the safety
of personnel to some extent, as it helps to
clear the fault within the shortest period of
time.
Safety Grounds (Equipment Grounding)
It is a connection to the ground of non-
current carrying parts of the equipments like
Motors, Transformer Tanks, Switchgear
enclosures, Metallic enclosures of all
electrically operated equipment's and also
the installations used to carry/ Support
electrical equipments. The frames of the
equipments, if not earthed, when it comes
into contact accidentally with live part, will
have potential with reference to the ground.
The potential difference, when shunted
between the hands and the feet of a person
touching the frame, produces current
through the body which can result in a
fatality. By connecting the frames to a low
resistance ground system, a sufficiently high
current will flow into the ground when
accidentally the live parts of the equipment /
M a c h i n e r y to u c h t h e f ra m e s , a n d
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 38
consequently saves the
operating personnel from fatal
accidents. T hus the equipment
grounding is basically intended to
safeguard to a great extent from the
hazards of touch voltages. The safety
ground is so designed that the potential
difference appearing between the
frames and the neighbouring ground is
kept within safe limits.
Separation of System and Safety
Grounds:
During ground fault conditions, the
fault current flows via the system
ground. When the system and safety
grounds are inter connected, the fault
current flowing (via) the system ground
rises the potential of the safety ground.
Also the flow of current to safety ground
results in hazardous potential gradient
in and around the substation. In view of
the above it is sometimes suggested
that separate system and safety grounds
will avoid the danger arising due to
potential gradients. The idea is that by
connecting the system ground to a
separate earthing system situated in an
accessible spot, the ground fault current
does not flow through the safety
ground. However, this separate system
of grounds has many disadvantages and
can be more hazardous as mentioned
below:
Ÿ With separate grounds we can avoid
danger due to potentials only for faults
outside the stations.
Ÿ Short circuit currents will be more if
the fault occurs in the substation.
Ÿ The resistance may be more and in
some cases sufficient currents may not
flow to operate the relays.
Ÿ For effective separation of the
earthing systems, the system ground
shall be installed at a distance of at least
twice the diagonal length of the
substation which is covered by safety
grounding. T he neutral of the
transformer has to be connected to
this
remote ear thing by means of
insulated leads. Even with this
arrangement one cannot always be
sure about the complete isolation of
the two systems and there is always a
chance of inadequate electrical
connection through buried neutral
pipes etc. Hence, this is impracticable,
complicated and costly. It is therefore
a common practice to install a
common grounding system and
design the same for effective earthing
and safer potential gradients.
System Earthing:
System earthing is governed by
provisions of Rule – Of I.E Rules,
1956. Unearthed systems have been
tried and due to the phenomenon of
Arcing Grounds associated with them,
theses have been abandoned, except
in some few cases of power station
auxiliaries supply systems where
other arrangements are made for
indicating earth faults. In an
ungrounded system the insulation of
all the equipment's, lines etc. will have
to be of much higher values as
compared to those of equipments and
lines of a grounded system. This
aspect greatly reduces the costs and
ensures more safety.
Types of System Earthing:
Earthing through a resistance.
Earthing through a reactance.
Earthing through a Peterson coil
Earthing directly or solid earthing.
Sub Station Earthing:
Because of the difficulties and
disadvantages involved in marinating
the system grounding and safety
grounding separately, it is the
common practice now to have a
combined grounding system at the
TCN NEWSLETTER

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 39

 TCN NEWSLETTER
asphaltic varnish
Power Stations 0.5 Ohms
and then covered
with hessian tape
1.0 Ohms to avoid rusting.
Substations above 110kV
14. All paints,
Substations below 110kV 2.0 Ohms enamel and scale
shall be removed
Transmission Line Supports 10.0 Ohms from point of
contact in metal
s u r face s b e fore
4. The outer most peripheral earthing ground connections.
conductor surrounding the earth mat shall be
of 100 x 16 mm size MS flat. 15. The risers taken along the main
switchyard structures and equipment
5. The intermediate earthing conductors structures (up to their top) shall be
forming the earth mat shall be of 75 x 8 mm clamped to the structure at an interval
size flat. of not more than one meter with ground
connectors.
6. All the risers used for connecting the
equipment steel structures etc., to earth mat 16. 75 X 8 mm ground conductor shall
shall be of 50 x6 mm size except earthing of run in cable trenches and shall be
lightning arresters and transformer neutrals connected to the ground mat at an
for which 100 x 16 mm or 75 x 8 mm size shall interval of 5 meters.
be used.
17. Grounding electrodes 2.75 mtrs
7. All Junctions (crossing of the steel flats length 100 mm dia 9 mm thickness CI
while forming the earth mat and up risers Pipes shall be provided at all the
from the earth mat for giving earth peripheral corners of the earthing mat
connections to equipments, steel structural and also at distance of 10 mtrs along the
conduits, cable sheaths shall be properly length & width of switch gear in the
welded. entire switch yard.
8. Proper earthing lugs shall be used for 18. The grounding electrodes shall be
connecting the ear th ter minals of derived into the ground and their tops
equipments to the earthing steel flat. shall be welded to a clamp and the clamp
together with the grounding shall be
9. Provisions shall be made for thermal welded to the ground conductor.
expansion of the steel flats by giving suitable 19. The switchyard surface area shall be
bends. covered with a layer of crushed rock of
size 25 x 40 mm to a depth of 100mm
10. The earth mat shall be formed by placing
75 x8mm MS flat at a distance 5 meters along 20. Transformers, lightning arresters
the length & breadth of the substation duly and single phase potential transformer
welding at crossings. shall be provided with earth pits near
them for earthing and these earth pits
11. All the equipments, steel structures, in turn shall be connected to the earth
conduits, cable sheaths shall be solidly mat.
grounded by connecting to the earthing mat
at least two places for each. 21. Power Transformers neutral shall be
provided with double earthing. Neutral
12. The ground mat of the switchyard shall be earthing and body earthing of power
properly connected to the earth mat of the transformers shall be connected to
control room at least at two points. separate earth electrode.
13. Welding shall be given a coat of black 22. The entire earthing system shall be
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 40
laid with constructional conveniences,
keeping in view the above points.
Earth Electrodes
Earth electrodes shall be of CI pipe
100mm (inner dia) 2.75 meters long
with a flange at the top and earth flat
already indicated and shall be
connected to earth grid in the
Substation. All ear th pits are
excavated and the preferred backfill is
a mixture of coke and salt in alternate
layers. A suitable size cement collar
may be provided to each earth
electrode. All bolted earth mat
connections and strip connections to
the plant and equipment panel will be
s u b j e c t e d t o s t r i c t s c r u t i n y.
Transformer Neutrals shall be
connected directly to the earth
electrode by two independent MS
strips of 75 X 8mm. The transformer
body earthing shall be done with 75 X
8mm f lat. The independent
connections of MS strips with earth
mat shall be given on either side of the
Transformer. All contact surface must
be filled or ground flat to ensure good
electrical connections, and the contact
surface shall be protected with a
contact lubricant. Following this, all
connections shall be painted with
heavy coats of bituminous black paint
so as to exclude moisture.
Earth Grid – Work Details
Ÿ Neutral connection earth pipe shall
never be used for the equipment
earthing.
Ÿ A separate earth electrode shall be
provided adjacent to the structures
supporting lightning arresters. Earth
connection shall be as short and as
straight as practicable. For arresters
mounted near transformers, earth
conductors shall be connected directly
to the tank.
Ÿ An Earthing pad shall be provided
under each operating handle of the
isolator and operating mechanism of
the circuit breakers. Operating handle
of the isolator and supporting
structures shall be bonded together by
a flexible connection and connected to
the earthing grid.
Ÿ All equipment and switchgear etc.,
erected shall be earthed as per I.E
Rules 1956.
 TCN NEWSLETTER
PANDEMIC OUTBREAK EFFECT ON
THE NIGERIAN POWER SECTOR
T he pandemic outbreak, known as Coronavirus (COVID-
19) started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and has
since spread around the world. This pandemic outbreak
got to Nigeria with an index case in Lagos on 27th February
2020. The pandemic has impacted the entire energy value chain
from drop in price of oil and gas, shift in electricity demand
requirement, to force majeure for ongoing projects.
In the bid for the Nigerian government to contain the spread of
the virus, the government, like others in affected countries,
issued a stay at home order for an initial duration of two weeks in
Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States, except for essential service
providers around the country. Many of the working population
worked from home, and still do, even with the gradual easing of
the lockdown. For the electricity sector, the electricity demand
curve for customer classes such as residential, commercial, and
industrial as well as the streetlights have expectedly taken a new
shape.
Government's order for movement restriction limited
commercial and industrial activities to the minimum
consequently reducing their consumption while residential and
streetlights increased, changing the consumption pattern of
energy curve. Although residential electricity customers are
more in number than other classes of energy consumers, their
total electricity consumption will generate less revenue due to
the low energy per capita per person and usage of energy
efficient household appliances.
Even though residential customers have the largest population,
they also have one of the lowest tariffs in the MYTO allocation of
N24.3/KWh as compared to that of commercial and industrial
consumption. Records from the daily load demand broadcast
shows that on February 11, 2020, the peak demand was
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 41
By Engr. Emeka Chiatula
4800MW and in April 6, 2020, 4731MW. This indicates that
though there is a shift in consumption pattern tilting
significantly to residential customers with the same total load
off take, the revenue results would be different. This is because
the class of customers consuming electricity are of the lowest in
MYTO tariff allocation; there will therefore be a reduction in the
revenue collections for the same quantum of energy at this time.
TCN has been constructing and investing in transmission
infrastructure on massive scale to bridge every gap on the
interface points between transmission and distribution
systems. The execution of power projects in TCN is guided by
Project Implementation Units (PIUs). The implementation
process is in four phases: Feasibility, Bidding, Construction and
Commissioning Phases. Most of TCN's ongoing projects are
more of green field projects. For these projects, the bidding and
construction phase will mostly be affected by the outbreak of
COVID-19. This is because the stay at home order will restrict
movement of contractors and other activities. The feasibility
phase will also be affected as this is tied to the movement of
foreign contractors/expatriates into Nigeria, and these will
extend timelines of the projects.
With the global nature of the pandemic, some of the projects may
initiate the force majeure clauses due to affected timelines on the
project life cycles, necessitating new timelines which will be
dictated by the recovery of the world from COVID-19. Presently,
the Federal and state governments are intervening in various
ways through palliatives; the intervention must be extended to
the power sector especially in the payment for gas to ensure
quality and consistent supply to the citizenry during this
pandemic. Who knows, this may have to include payment for
electricity if the recent clamour is anything to go by.
 TCN NEWSLETTER

PHOTO PAGE

Oversight visit by members of the House of Representatives Committee on Power, led by its Chairman, Hon. Magaji Aliyu to TCN
on Friday, 5th June 2020.

Minister of Power Engr. Sale Mamman in a meeting with NNPC GMD, MD NIPP and MD TCN on the issue of consistent gas supply
for power generation at the Federal Ministry of Power, Abuja , on Friday, 17th April, 2020.

Acting MD/CEO, TCN, General Manager Nasarawa State Electric Power Agency ( NAEPA), Engr. Abubakar Danjuma Ango,
some officials of the state and TCN Management, after the meeting on transmission projects in Nasarrawa state.

Virtual meeting between TCN and Eko Disco on interface issues at TCN conference room, Abuja on Friday, 22nd May 2020

TransmissionCompany
Transmission CompanyOfOf Nigeria
Nigeria 42 43
 TCN NEWSLETTER

PHOTO PAGE

Members of the Senate Committee on Power led by its Chairman North Core Project Implementation team led by Engr. Malele Djibril
Senator Gabriel Suswan on oversight visit to TCN's on-going projects in Abuja after a courtesy visit to the Ag. MD/CEO of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz.

L to R, Ag. MD/CEO, TCN Engr. S. A. Abdulaziz and Market Operator, R-L: Major General E. N. Njoku, representing Chief of Staff
Engr. Edmund Eje during an Investigative hearing at the National Assembly to the President, congratulate new Ag. MD/CEO, Eng. Sule A. Abdulaziz

TCN Management led by the new Ag. MD/CEO, Eng. S. A Abdulaziz, addressing members of the Senate Committee on
Power at the Investigative Public Hearing on a motion titled, "Power Sector Recovery Plan and the
Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic" held at the Senate building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

TransmissionCompany
Transmission CompanyOfOf Nigeria
Nigeria 43 43
 TCN NEWSLETTER

PHOTO PAGE

Participants at the two-day bi-annual meeting of heads of Human Resources TCN-ISO on Capacity Building held in Port
Harcourt, Rivers State on the 18th and 19th of March, 2020.

Middle), Engr T.U.J. Emuchay, RTM (Enugu) (Middle) Mrs Orji, SM (Secretary) HR during her retirement ceremony
during his retirement ceremony

(Middle), Mr Toki Adebisi Olufemi Olayiwola, Mrs Jennifer Okechukwu Okafor, daughter
PM (F&A)PMU, during his retirement ceremony of Mrs Ubah, SM (ICT) ISO, and her husband

REST IN THE BOSOM OF THE LORD...!!!

Those special memories of you
will always bring a smile
if only we could have you back,
just for a little while
The fact that you are no longer here
will always cause us pain
but you are forever in our heart
Adieu!!!

Late Mrs Philomena Oni Late Garba Luka Bassahuwa

AGM (ICT) ISO, CHQ Officer 1 Kaduna Region

Transmission
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CompanyOf
OfNigeria
Nigeria 44
43
TCN NEWSLETTER
TCN COLLABORATES
WITH STATE GOVERNMENTS TO
FACILITATE PROJECT EXECUTION
T he Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion
Programme (TREP), is a 4-year plan by TCN to
systematically guide its expansion of the nation's
grid. TREP is a part of TCN's 20-year least cost transmission
expansion plan which aims at increasing transmission
capacity to 20,000MW in 2023.
No doubt there are challenges in executing the projects
especially for the transmission lines, ranging from vandalism,
to issues of Right of Way (RoW).
Given the difficulties of securing RoW for the network
expansion, TCN, under the current management commenced
collaborations with the State Governments to facilitate the
acquisition of RoW for transmission and substation projects.
Some of the collaborations are for specific investment
projects.
In this regard, TCN has collaborated with Enugu, Edo,
Kaduna, Ogun, Lagos, Kano, Abia, Ondo, Kebbi, Katsina,
Yobe, Borno and Ekiti State Governments. The collaboration
basically is for the State Governments to provide the RoW for
the projects while TCN provides all equipment and equally
carry out the electromechanical works.
TCN is also working with several State Governments on
substations construction. The states include Bauchi, Akwa-
Ibom, Kebbi and Delta States among others.
The company entered into collaboration with some states on
specific projects; these include Ekim Substation with Akwa
Ibom State, Abakaliki – Amosan line with Ebonyi State, 132kV
transmission line and substation with Kano, Jigawa and
Bauchi States and with Lagos State on connecting the Eko
Atlantic City to the National grid.
Some of the MoUs signed in the last years are;
- MoU with Akwa Ibom State on the 27th July, 2018
for the construction of Ekim 2x60MVA 132/33kV substation
project.
- MoU with Bauchi State on the 8th October, 2018 for
the construction of Alkaleri 2x60MVA, 132/33kV substation
project.
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 45
-
project.
-
MoU with Bauchi State on the 8th October, 2018 for
the construction of Toro 2x60MVA, 132/33kV substation
MoU with Bauchi State on the 18th October 2018 for
the construction of Jama'are 2x60MVA 132/33kV substation
project.
- MoU with Ebonyi State on the 1st July 2019 for the
construction of Umuogghara 2x60MVA, 132/33kV substation
project.
- MoU with Anambra State on 23rd August 2019 for the
construction of 13kV 40Km TRX line Onitsha – Oba – Nnewi and
132kV line, Onitsha – Nibo – Agu – Awka – Oji River 132kV TRX
line (The TRX line projects phase 1). The Construction of 132kV
TRX line (Awka/Anambra – Aguleri, 132kV line (Amansea/Awka
– Ekwulobia/Umuchu (Phase 2).
- MoU with Jigawa and Bauchi States on 5th February
2020 for the construction of 132kV DC TRX line (Azare – Misau –
Gwaram – Birnin Kudu – Dutse) with turn in and turn out from
Gwaram to Ningi and Substations at Birnin Kudu, Misau,
Gwaram and Ningi.
- MoU with Jigawa, Kastina and Kano states on 13th
February 2020 for the construction of 132kV DC TRX line
(Daura – Kazaure – Danbatta – Babura) and 2x 60 MVA,
132/33kV Substations at Kazaure and Babura, 2x60MVA
132/33kV Substation at Mashi with turn in and turn out from
Katsina – Daura 132kV Transmission line at Mashi.
The first phase of the Ekim Substation projects has been
commissioned. Others are at various stages of execution and
TCN will ensure that they are all completed and commissioned
within the allotted timelines.
- MoU with the government of Kano State on the
construction of a 132kV double circuit transmission line from
Daura to Babura through Kazaure and Danbatta, a 2x60MVA,
132/33kV substation each at Kazaure and Babura and a
2x60MVA 132/33kV substation at Mashi with turn-in and turn-
out on Katsina -Daura 132kV line at Mashi.
 TCN NEWSLETTER

POWER SYSTEM
FREQUENCY CONTROL By Engr. Seun Amoda
Cont’d from last edition

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 46

TCN NEWSLETTER

TCN SENSITISES
STAFF ON

CoVid-19
(LR:) Nurse Elizabeth Joseph, AGM (Medicals), Dr. Mrs Edet Ademiluyi
VIRUS
By Joy Egbase

T he management of Transmission Company of Nigeria

(TCN), organized a one day enlightenment lecture to
sensitise staff on the outbreak of coronavirus around
the world and what they need to do to keep safe.
The Assistant General Manager (Medical) Dr Mrs Edet
Ademiluyi in her presentation urged staff to ensure adequate
precautions and good hygiene as part of measures to protect
themselves against the outbreak of the virus also known as
COVID-19.
She stated that though the global community is still learning
more about COVID-19, there was need for staff to pay
attention to the symptoms of the disease; “Fever, cough, runny
nose, sore throat and trouble breathing are some of the most
common symptoms of the novel coronavirus” she said.
Dr Ademiluyi mentioned prevention of the virus to include;
personal hygiene, respiratory hygiene, environmental hygiene,
social distancing and boosting immune system.
She appealed to staff to wash their hands often with soap and
running water for at least 20 seconds, use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if water and soap
are not available, and avoid close contact with people who are
sick, take some time to rest and avoid touching their eyes, nose
and mouth.
“Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue
in the trash, and wash your hands. Clean and disinfect
frequently touched objects and surfaces and stay home if you
are sick.” she said.
The Executive Director TSP lauded the initiative by the
Medical Services team in sensitizing the staff on the outbreak
of the virus which he described as real. He noted, “one way we
all can fight the virus is by eating healthy and being physically
fit”.
He used the occasion to appeal to staff not to abuse the use of
hand sanitizer as anyone caught in the act will be sanctioned.

A cross section of TCN Staff at the Sensitization Programme in Abuja

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 47

 TCN NEWSLETTER

TRANSMISSION
TERMS

D emand: The amount of

electricity being consumed at
any given moment by a single
customer, or by a group of customers.
The total demand on a given system is
state or status of these devices.

Distribution: Distribution lines and

the sum of all of the individual
demands on that system occurring at
the same moment. The peak demand is
the highest demand occurring within a
given span of time, usually a season or
a year. The peak demand that a
transmission or distribution system
must carr y sets the minimum
requirement for its capacity (see also
the definition for energy).
Demand-Side Management (DSM):
A set of measures utilized to reduce
energ y consumption. Energ y
conservation is one kind of DSM.
Dispatch: As a verb: turning on or off,
or setting the value or output of a
generator, a capacitor bank, reactor or
transformer setting. As a noun: the
distribution substations operate at
lower voltage than the transmission
systems that feed them. They carry
electricity from the transmission
system to local customers. When
compared to transmission,
distribution lines generally use shorter
poles, have shorter wire spans
between poles and are usually found
alongside streets and roads, or buried
beneath them. Typical distribution
voltage in Nigeria are 33kV, 11kV and
0.415kV.
Distribution Utility: A utility in a
franchise area that is responsible for
owning, operating, and maintaining
the distribution part of the electric
system within an area.
Faul t : T he failure o f a line,
transformer, or other electrical
component. Once such a component
has failed (due to overheating, short-
circuiting, physical breakage, or other
trauma) it is automatically taken out of
operation by a circuit breaker that
quickly turns the component off. Once
it has been “tripped off” it no longer
poses a threat to human safety, but its
loss may present a difficult burden to
the remaining system.
Renewable power source: Any
power source that does not run on a
finite fuel which will eventually run
out, such as coal, oil, or natural gas.
Renewable power sources include
solar, wind and hydro generators,
because sunlight, wind and running
water will not run out. Generators that
burn replaceable fuels also commonly
qualify as renewable power sources.
Examples include bio-diesel
generators that run on crop-derived
fuels and wood-burning generators.

DID YOU KNOW

That recirculated Toxic Air
Clogs Your Lungs
The air inside a building can be up
to 100 times dirtier than outside,
and you're exposed to a variety of
unhealthy gases and chemicals.
There are pollutants in the air
conditioning, as well as toxic
particles, dangerous bacteria, and
mold all lying around, especially in
buildings that aren't well taken care
of.
That over-Exposure to Printers
and Photocopiers Could Lead
To Lung Disease
Photocopiers are a source of
potentially deadly ozone if the filter
isn't periodically changed, and it's
possible that even very small
amounts can cause chest pain and
irritation. Laser printers do this,
too, and they also release toner
particles that can get in your lungs
and blood stream, which could lead
to lung disease and other ailments.

Transmission Company Of Nigeria 48

 TCN NEWSLETTER
RE-CONDUCTORING AS A COST-EFFECTIVE
METHOD OF POWER EVACUATION
I n the bid to attain the 10,000MW target in the Nigeria
power network, with the increase in the consumption of
power capacity, a large amount of investment is directed
into the transmission network in both power evacuation and
generation. New power generator facilities are ongoing and
proposed which will be connected to the transmission grid.
Constructions of new transmission power lines are ongoing and
proposed as well, to increase the power capacity, reliability and
quality of the transmission line. In this proposal, high
temperature/low sag conductors are proposed for
reinforcement of the power transmission grid. The key issues
associated with power evacuation on the Nigerian transmission
grid for both 330kV and 132kV network will be highlighted, the
proposed method will be explained and why it should be
considered. A comparative type study will be done on the
available types of conductors in construction/composition
available to achieve this method. The financial impact of this
proposed project, pros and cons of the method, areas on the
national grid where this method is adopted as well as other
developed countries, potential areas where this method is
applied. Future work e.g studies to be carried out.
INTRODUCTION
With increase in demand of power has put in play the
connections of new generators have triggered the need for
additional transmission capacity. This has become a worldwide
problem to grid operators, especially in Nigeria which at the
moment is faced with issues affecting the upgrade and
reinforcement of the grid to attain the stated generation of
10,000MW. As transmission lines are being built, there are
parts of the country where there are electrical saturation of
transmission lines especially overhead lines. The increase in the
electrical power in an overhead line gives rise to the
temperature, this in turn produces temperature; increment in
conductor length and as a result increases sagging which
sometimes exceeds the safety limits. As you can see from figure
1 below, this makes our traditional ACSR conductors to have an
operational limit temperature of 80 C. [209]
Normally, the first solution always put on the drawing board is
to consider building new transmission lines; of course it is
necessary in this stage of our transmission network because of
the radial nature. At the moment new transmission lines, both
ongoing construction and as well as proposed, is a method to
Transmission Company Of Nigeria 49
By Engr. Emeka Chiatula
increasing the Total Transmission Capacity (TTC) of both the
330kV and 132kV network. This will invariably increase the
reliability, transferability and stability of the network.
In this proposal, other alternatives of using advance conductor
technologies are introduced. Typically, these new conductors
replace the conventional ACSR and are operated at higher
temperatures to increase the current rating.
Advanced conductor materials and applications have increased
current capacity, are lighter in weight, and provide the same sag
as existing conductors. [209]
The choice of embracing the advance conductor technology is
not to completely replace the construction of new transmission
lines, but optimization. Some of the issues affecting the
construction of new transmission lines are:
· Land saturation
· Duration of Project
· Funding
· Environment Impact
UPGR ADE METHODOLOGIES AND EFFECTS OF
OVERHEAD LINES
Upgrading strategies of overhead lines are sectioned into two
methods for increasing the rating:
· Increase of ampacity
· Increase of voltage
There are different types of HTLS conductors available such as:
1) ACSS and ACSS/TW (Aluminium Conductor Steel
Supported) Annealed aluminium strands over a conventional
steel stranded core. Operation to 200°C.
2) ZTACIR (Zirconium alloy Aluminium Conductor Invar
steel Reinforced) High-temperature aluminium strands over a
low-thermal elongation steel core. Operation to 150ºC (TAI)
and 210°C (ZTAl).
3) GTACSR (Gap Type heat resistant Aluminium alloy
Conductor Steel Reinforced) High-Temperature aluminium,
grease-filled gap between core/inner layer. Operation to 150°C.
GZTACSR (Gap Type super heat resistant Aluminium alloy
Conductor Steel Reinforced).
ALUMINUM STEEL CONCRETE REINFORCED (ASCR)
TCN CONDUCTOR COMPOSITE TYPE:
For the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the standard
conductor is the Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ASCR);
·In 330kV network -ACSR (BISON)
·In132kV network -ACSR (Bear sometimes Wolf)
With this type of conductor, changes tend to occur in the
mechanical properties with temperatures higher than 90ºC.
The temperature is a function of electrical current and the
environmental conditions. The maximum allowable
temperature is about 75ºC. This invariably reduces the amount
of current that passes through the conductor.
 TCN NEWSLETTER

Conductor Information current is passed through without weakening the cables.

Table: ACSR Conductor Data
Conductor Type ACSR -
Voltage 330 kV
Stranding 54/7 -
Mass 1443 kg/km
Overall Diameter 27 mm
Rated tensile strength 120.9 kN
Ampacity per conductor 684 A
Operating Temperature 75 ºC Figure 2: Ampacity Comparison - ACSS vs ACSR

Ambient temperature 40 ºC ACSS and some other high temperature conductors are
D.C resistance at 20ºC 0.075 Ohms normally built in a compressed manner where conductors are
made up of trapezoidal type configuration wires which have a
73 /km closer compactness than the normal ACSR conductors.
The figure below shows the difference between the two types of
cable.
IACSS (STEEL SUPPORTED ALUMINUM CONDUCTORS)
The steel supported aluminium conductors (ACSS), is a sag-
resistant steel-cored conductor. ACSS is mostly supported by
its steel core. The steel core provides most of its tensile
strength.

The behavior of ACSS is a composite of the steel core and

annealed aluminum, though the aluminum carries little of the
load, because of its low yield strength. The operating Figure 3: ACSR vs ACSS
temperature of ACSS is not limited by the properties of
aluminum, since the aluminum is already fully annealed. The high-temperature sag behavior of ACSS is generally better
Instead, the temperature limitation comes from the properties than that of ACSR. ACSS is among the cheapest high-
of the steel core, which has an annealing temperature around temperature conductor technologies, with a bulk price 1.5-2x
240 ( the surface temperature may be significantly cooler). This that of ACSR. The compactness will lower the resistance per-
is significantly higher than ACSR or AAAC kilometer and thereby increase the ampacity of the cable
[transloadingdesingCriteriaAndHTS]. (Kindly see data comparison below).
Conductor Information
Table2: ACSS Conductor Information Conductor Type ACSR ACSS GAP -
Voltage 330 330 kV
Conductor Type ACSS -
Stranding 54/7 54/7 -
Voltage 330 kV
Mass 1443 1443 kg/km
Stranding 54/7 -
Overall Diameter 27 27 mm
Mass 1443 kg/km
Rated tensile strength 120.9 110.5 kN
Overall Diameter 27 mm
Ampacity per conductor 700 1600 A
Rated tensile strength 110.5 kN
Operating Temperature 75 250 ºC
Ampacity per conductor 1,600 A
Ambient temperature 40 40 ºC
Operating Temperature 250 ºC
D.C resistance at 20ºC 0.07573 0.0748 Ohms/km
Ambient temperature 40 ºC
D.C resistance at 20ºC 0.0748(max) Ohms/km Table 3 : ACSR vs ACSS Conductor Information

FINANCIAL IMPACT AND COMPARATIVE COST STUDY

ACSS VS ACSR
The ACSS (Steel Supported Aluminum conductors) unlike the
ACSR counterpart is almost supported by its steel core. The
operating temperature of the ACSS is not really limited by the
aluminum properties since the aluminum is already fully
annealed. Instead, the temperature limitation comes from the
properties of the steel core, which has an annealing
temperature of around 250ºC. This temperature is significantly
higher than ACSR. As stated above, the temperature is a
function of electrical current which means greater amount of
Re-conductoring is an efficient way of uprating the ampacity of
a transmission system since the operation of such lines with
the conventional ASCR conductors is limited by the thermal
rating and, moreover, older voltage lines may have been
constructed with towers that can support the desired weight of
the conductors. Re-conductoring is not effective for stability
since the inductance is not changed significantly by re-
conductoring.
Operating temperatures up to 250 ºC, in contrast, ACSR is

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 TCN NEWSLETTER

typically limited to around 100 ºC. The corresponding increase COST ANALYSIs
in the allowable temperature rise above ambient implies a The cost for an additional 132kV single circuit line from EKET –
corresponding increase in the ampacity for a given cross- UYO – ITU from the data in figure 4 below, we can see that the
sectional area of a given conductor. cost for building a 132kV single circuit is 150,000 USD/km. The
cost of the new generation HTLS conductors according to 3M is
The cost of these cables is higher than conventional cables. The 1.5 – 3x the original price of the conventional ACSR conductors.
cost difference between ACSR and the other conductors varies. In this case with reference to the engineer's estimate prepared
ACSS, which is physically very similar to ACSR, has a cost of 1.5- for Keffi – Kwoi - Kachia 132kV Double Circuit Transmission
2x that of ACSR. According to 3M, the cost of ACCR is 3-6x that line:
of ACSR. The rest of the cable technologies appear to lie within
that range of 1.5-6x. This is due to compactness of conductors ŸCost of ACSR conductor per kilometer = N641,483
using trapezoidal configuration which has large amount of ŸCost of ACSS conductor per km = 3 x
aluminum in the cable. The high purity and special alloy are also N641,483=N1,924,449(Approximately)
more expensive than standard aluminum. Assuming the cost of Ÿ
material, additional costs includes engineering design, Table  5: Cost Comparative table New Line vs. Re-conductoring
permitting, legal cost, construction costs) have added to the cost Project CONSTRUCTION OF RECONDUCTORING
of initial installation. However, some of these costs may be NEW 132KV LINE OF 132KV LINE
expected to reduce in subsequent implementations.
Cost Per N/km N23,250,000 (all N1,924,449
In the comparative cost study, it will encompass checking inclusive) (including replacing
/analyzing the cost evaluation of the Construction of a new (2nd
) line vs. Re-conductoring with existing assets of clamps & service
cost)
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW (2ND) LINE VS RE-
Distance(km) 64 64
CONDUCTORING WITH EXISTING ASSETS
According to the analysis made by TCN planning and evaluation Total Cost N1,488,000,000 N123,164,736
committee, which evaluated contracts awarded in 2008, the cost
per kilometer, listed in the table below;

Table  4: (Average cost per km awarded by TCN in 2008)

Voltage Level Cost per kilometer (billion N/km)

330 kV DC line 0.0434
330kV SC line 0.0372
132kV DC line 0.0372
132 kV SC line 0.02325
760kV DC line 0.12
To attain reliability in the transmission network, it was a
mandatory standard to make all new construction of
transmission lines to be double circuit. For existing single circuit
transmission lines, another line should be constructed not only
for reliability but to achieve (N-1) criteria.
CASE STUDY
Project: EKET – UYO – ITU 132kV Transmission Line
Description of Project
Ibom Power generating station with a capacity of 441MW
currently in operation is in urgent need for the exportation of its
power generated. The transmission line currently exporting
power out of Ibom is a 132kV single circuit (SC), the conductor
used is a ACSR (Bear) conductor which has a operating close to its
current capacity. Distance: Eket – Uyo – Itu = 64km.
Solution
A solution was brought in to be able to evacuate the power
generated by constructing new 132kV single circuit line (SC) but
this has a lot of challenges such as; Right of Way issues and
corridor space. Reconductoring was proposed to increase the
capacity of power transfer and also reduction of the cost. The
next section shows the cost benefit analysis of using the re-
conductoring method to see if it was the better solution.
(USD)
Figure 4: New line vs Re-conductoring
From the analysis conducted and research materials provided, it
can be seen that the construction of a new line is this case is far
more expensive in this case, making reconductoring with HTLS
conductors;
ŸCost effective
ŸEliminates right of way issues
ŸWith the cost effectiveness of the project methodology it makes
it a bit easier to be funded
ŸReduction of environmental impact.
CONCLUSION
Different methods of increasing the rating of overhead line and
the effects have been presented. The advanced conductor
technologies are focused on the economic impact and analysis of
using a HTLS conductors to replace the normal conductors
(ACSR). In this paper, ACSS conductors were compared to ACSR
both technically and economically. The conclusion is that;
-- ACSS has higher current carrying capacity than the
ACSR from the cable data compared
-- Re-conductoring of HTLS conductors is more
economical than construction of new transmission lines where
procurement of HV assets and civil costs is avoided, right of way
issues boycotted.
As seen in case 1, re-conductoring justifies the economic
advantage proposed in this article.

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CIVIL SOCIETY GROUP BESTOWS

OUTSTANDING AWARD ON TCN
By Maimuna Isah-Ladan

was

(Right), the Regional Transmission Manager (RTM), Kaduna

Region, Engr. Haruna Aminu, receiving the award on behalf of TCN

was

Members of KYGG Group and TCN staff, Kaduna Region

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TCN NEWSLETTER

TCN APPEALS FOR

ATTITUDINAL CHANGES
AMONG STAKEHOLDERS
IN POWER SECTOR
GM (System Operation), TCN, Engr. Mrs. Nafisat Ali
By Omideji Oluwakayode addressing stakeholders at the meeting

T he General Manager (System Operation), of

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Mrs.
Nafisat Ali, has appealed for attitudinal changes among
stakeholders in the Nigeria electricity value chain in order to
make the supply of electricity to Nigerians seamless.
change. We need to keep communicating and discussing issues
affecting our operations and take decisions that would improve
the sector”, she said.

Engr. Ali further appealed to the participants to be ready to

Engr. Nafisat made the appeal in her address during the Bi-
annual joint Generation, Operation, Distribution Planning
meeting hosted recently in Osogbo, the Osun State capital by
the Independent System Operations (ISO), a subsector of TCN.
According to her, the meeting was put in place to address
operational issues as they affect the supply of electricity in the
country in order to evaluate and make recommendations that
will move the sector forward.
She decried the attitude of some distribution companies
(DisCos) towards the attendance of the meetings where far
reaching decisions are taken for the interest of the sector.
According to her, “this is not an attack, it's an appeal to all of us,
it's about our country. Last year, when this meeting took place
in Benin City, only few Discos attended. We need an attitudinal
implement decisions and recommendations reached at the end
of the interface meeting for the needed change in the industry.
She noted that stakeholders must be committed to cater for
electricity needs of customers, as increase in generation
capacity without utilization, amounts to nothing. She urged
stakeholders to wake up to their responsibilities and provide the
needed power supply to Nigerians.
In his address, the General Manager, National Control Centre
(NCC), Osogbo, Engr. Kingsley Osuoha, appealed to
participants not to make the meeting a talking platform, where
decisions and recommendations reached are not implemented.
According to him, the challenges in the sector are surmountable
and that formed the basis for bringing together stakeholders in
the nation's electricity value chain to tackle operational issues.

Participants at the meeting

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 TCN NEWSLETTER
Highlights of some works by TCN engineers as the company
continues to rehabilitate and expand the grid
1. Commissioning of 300MVA, 330/132/33kV
capacity power transformer at Asaba T/S
2. Commissioning of 100MVA,132/33kV power
transformer at Ogba T/S
3. Commissioning of 60MVA,132/33kV power
transformer at Gusau T/S
4. Commissioning of 30MVA,132/33kV power
transformer at Egbin T/S
5. Replacement and commissioning of T2 45MVA
132/33kV transformer at Ilupeju T/S
6. Installation of 40MVA transformer at Iseyin T/S
7. Commissioning of 45MVA,132/33kV power
transformer at Apapa T/S
8. Commissioning of T1 60MVA, 132/33kV
Transformer at Aja T/S
9. Replacement of vandalized earthing link switch
for 330kV B6N Benin/Egbin, Benin/Omotosho
line isolator
10. New Abeokuta 132kV line 2 was completed and
energized
11. Ota/Papa 132kV line 2 was completed and
energized from Papalanto T/S
12. Replacement of vandalized conductor (2 spans)
Suleja-Katampe 132kV (DC) line, between t16-
t18
13. Restringing of vandalized conductor for Shiroro-
Gwagwalada 330kV DC line, between T265-
T267 and T229-T231 was carried out
14. Commissioning of 40MVA 132/33kV Mobitra at
Auchi T/S
15. Installation of new 300KVA earthing
transformer at Omotosho T/S
16. Newly installed 75MX 330kV, 6R1 shunt reactor
was energized at Benin T/S
17. An in-house web-based platform for monitoring
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Grid System Frequency was developed by NCC
and launched for use by Regions GMs
18. Erection of Tower 29A and 29B on Gombe –
Ashaka – Potiskum 132kV Line across a river
was successfully completed and energized
19. Repair of burnt 30MVA 132/33kV transformer at
Kumbotso and Oworoshoki T/S was
successfully completed and energized
20. Replacement of HV bushing of earthing
transformer on T1A 40MVA Transformer at
Agu-Awka T/S; T4 60MVA 132/33kV
transformer at Funtua T/S; 500KVA Grounding
Transformer (GT) on T1 60MVA 132/33kV
transformer at Ikorodu T/S and Nibo T/S
21. Replacement of 2No. cracked 33kV Bushings
of 300KVA 33/0.415kV Grounding
Transformer on the LV of T01 60MVA
132/33kV transformer at elelenwo T/S and
330kV isolator on the 75MVAr Reactor bay at
Apir T/S was successfully completed
22. Installation and commissioning of new 33kV
Circuit Breaker Wukari feeder at Yandev T/S
and Owerri T/S; 330kV Circuit Breaker
Crompton Greaves on CB5 bay at Delta and
Gombe T/S; 132kV GCB on Kankia/Katsina
line at Kankia, Maryland and Akure TS
23. Replacement of defective 132kV CB on
Owerri/Ahoada 132kV Line 2 Bay at Owerri ,
Calabar and Gombe T/S
24. Installation of transfer switchgear for auxiliary
supply at Akure TS and new set of 110VDC
Battery cells to replace the faulty battery cells at
Ahoada T/S and 110Vdc (12V x 9Units) battery
Bank at Birnin Kebbi T/S
 TCN NEWSLETTER

HISTORY...
MD/CEO'S OF TCN; PAST AND PRESENT

Engr. Godwin O. Osakue - 2005

Engr. Hussein S. Labo - 2008
Engr. Isa Musa - 2009
Engr. Akinwunmi Bada - 2010
Engr. Hussein S. Labo - 2010
Engr. Akinwunmi Bada - 2011
Engr. Olusola O. Akinniranye from April - 2012
Engr. Don Priestman - 2012
Mr. Mack Kast 2013 - 2015
Mr. Paul Stefinsin - 2015
Dipank Sarma (Acting) - 2015
Mr. Mark Kast 2015 - 2016
Engr. (Dr) Abubakar Atiku 2016 – 2017
Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed 2017 – 2020
Engr. Sule Abdulaziz 2020 to Date

Editorial Team
Sub-Editors:
Engr. A. Tahir

E.

Transmission
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OfNigeria
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 TCN NEWSLETTER

Pandemic

By Dr. Edet Ademiluyi

C OVID -19 is the infectious

disease caused by the novel
coronavirus. This new virus
was unknown before the outbreak
which began in Wuhan, China in
•
•
Total number of deaths – 659,058
Total number of recovered cases –
10,297,777
It has now spread to 213
countries.
December 2019. WHO has declared COUNTRIES OUTSIDE CHINA WITH
this outbreak a pandemic. THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CASES:
USA, Brazil, India,Russia.
HOW IT SPREADS:
The human coronavirus are most PREVENTION
commonly spread from an infected There are currently no vaccines available to
person to others through protect you against human corona virus
• droplets produced through infection. Transmission is reduced
coughing and sneezing. through:
• Close personal contact such as • Washing your hands often with
touching and shaking hands. soap and water for at least 20
These droplets land on objects and seconds or use alcohol based hand
surfaces around the person, and sanitizer.
people then contract the disease by • Avoiding touching eyes, nose or
touching these surfaces, then mouth with unwashed hands.
touching their mouth, nose or eyes • Avoiding close contact with people
before washing their hands. who are sick – stay at least 3 feet away.
• Practice hand hygiene, environmental hygiene
SYMPTOMS (disinfect frequently touched surfaces around), social
Most common symptoms are fever, dry cough and distancing and boosting immune system.
difficulty in breathing. If you are mildly sick, keep yourself hydrated, stay at home and
Others symptoms include – tiredness, aches and pain, rest.
catarrh, sore throat.
These symptoms are usually mild and begin If you are concerned about your symptoms, see your
gradually; some people become infected but don't develop any healthcare provider. Cover your cough or sneeze with
symptoms. disposable tissue or the bend of your elbow, and avoid crowded
Most people, about 80%, recover from the disease places.
without needing special treatment.
About 16% become severely ill and develop difficulty WAYS TO BOOST IMMUNITY
breathing and need hospitalization. 1. Relax – get enough rest and sleep and manage stress well.
The elderly, those with underlying medical problems 2. Drink green tea.
such as high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes are 3. Get some gentle exercise regularly and maintain a healthy
more likely to develop serious illness. About 2% of people with weight.
the disease have died. 4. Eat a healthy plant based diet full of fruits and vegetables,
nuts, seeds, probiotics.
STATISTICS AS AT 28TH OF JULY, 2020. 5. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol excessively.
• Total number of cases – 16,735,542

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