The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has clarified that the N1.28 billion solar streetlight projects flagged in a recent report were National Assembly Constituency Projects captured in the federal budget, and not initiatives started by TCN.
The TCN management in a press statement was responding to a publication by Emmanuel Oluwole Uti of FIJ alleging that the company paid N1.28 billion between May and June 2025 for solar streetlights “outside its mandate.”
TCN stated that the projects were nominated by Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators to serve vulnerable communities, and were included in TCN’s capital vote by the National Assembly.
“The Company was designated as the implementing agency by the relevant authorities, in line with established government practice,” the statement said. “TCN did not initiate or request these projects.”
The company emphasized that the funds do not belong to TCN and were not drawn from its Internally Generated Revenue.
“They are Federal Government appropriations duly approved by Mr. President,” TCN said. All payments, including those cited by FIJ, it added, were processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, GIFMIS, and in line with financial regulations.
TCN also said procurement followed approvals from relevant agencies including the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP. Payments to Au Step Nigeria Limited, Empire Technical Projects Construction Services Limited, and Ideal Engineering & Construction Company Limited were, according to TCN, done in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
According to TCN, the streetlights in Jigawa, Kano and Kogi States were executed at the instance of the National Assembly to improve security, enhance visibility, support socio-economic activity, and protect national power infrastructure.
“As an organization whose 330kV and 132kV lines and towers crisscross the nation, we have seen that well-lit communities help boost public confidence, reduce vandalism and theft, and ultimately safeguard the integrity of the national grid,” the company explained.
TCN noted that while its core mandate remains bulk power transmission, it is empowered to execute constituency and other federal projects when duly assigned.
“There is no provision in law prohibiting TCN from executing projects assigned to it by the National Assembly or other arms of government, provided due process is followed,” it stated.
The company said competent contractors have been engaged and that project monitoring is ongoing to ensure quality delivery and measurable impact for beneficiary communities.
TCN appealed to media organizations and stakeholders to verify information with the company before publication “to ensure factual, balanced, and accurate reporting, while preventing the spread of misinformation.”
The company reaffirmed its commitment to wheeling bulk power nationwide and to supporting national development through transparent execution of government-assigned projects.
