The Federal Government has secured a $238 million loan facility from the Japan International Cooperation Agency to strengthen its national power grid, following high-level engagements led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan.
Speaking through a statement signed by the Ministry of Power on Friday, President Tinubu stressed that Nigeria’s participation at TICAD 9 was about concrete results, not mere diplomacy.
“Nigeria’s participation at TICAD 9 was not about trade exhibitions, but about forging strategic, outcome-driven partnerships that would deliver tangible results for the Nigerian people. We are deliberately shifting from planning to implementation, from agreements to delivery, and from promises to measurable results,” he said.
The $238 million JICA loan, backed by Federal Executive Council counterpart funding of N19,083,192,805.30, will finance the expansion of the national grid. The project includes the construction of 102.95km of new 330kV double circuit lines, 104.59km of 132kV double circuit lines, four 330/132/33kV substations, two 132/33kV substations, and multiple line bay extensions to improve efficiency and reduce system losses.
Highlighting the significance of the deal, Adelabu said the engagement with Japanese power companies such as Toshiba, Hitachi, and Japan’s Transmission & Distribution Corporation was crucial to unlocking Nigeria’s energy potential.
“Our focus is on transmission infrastructure, operational efficiency, and strategies to reduce system losses. This $238 million loan from JICA provides the backbone for that transformation,” the minister explained.
Adelabu also expressed appreciation for Japan’s long-standing support. “JICA has proven to be a reliable partner in advancing Nigeria’s energy transition and expanding access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity. Their contributions across infrastructure, technical studies, training, and financing continue to play a vital role in strengthening our power sector,” he stated
Several former Nigerian women’s football stars under the aegis of United Ex-Super Falcons of Nigeria Worldwide have showered praise on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, for their renewed commitment to appreciating women footballers and pledging to do more.
The likes of former captain Kikelomo Ajayi, Prisca Emeafu, and Patience Avre-Odeli were ecstatic after Wednesday’s online meeting with several ex-Super Falcons players, where they applauded Tinubu’s gesture of rewarding the current Falcons with millions of naira, land, and national honours following their WAFCON triumph in Morocco.
Ajayi said the administration’s recognition has inspired a new generation of female footballers across the nation.
“The nation stands to gain from this initiative,” she added, while urging the presidency to extend the same honour and appreciation to past heroines who laid the foundation for today’s successes.
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