TCN Defends N1.28bn Solar Streetlight Projects

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has defended its implementation of solar streetlight projects valued at N1.28 billion, stating these were National Assembly constituency intervention projects approved in the Federal Government’s budget. This clarification follows allegations from the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) that TCN paid N1.28 billion for projects outside its core responsibilities between May and June 2025.

TCN explained that the projects were nominated by National Assembly members to benefit vulnerable communities and were included in the Federal Government’s approved appropriation, with TCN designated as the implementing agency. The company emphasized that it neither initiated nor requested these projects, which were incorporated into its capital budget.

TCN clarified that the funds were Federal Government appropriations approved by President Bola Tinubu, processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), and received necessary approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). The projects executed in Jigawa, Kano, and Kogi states aim to improve security and stimulate socio-economic activities while safeguarding electricity transmission facilities.