By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Lagos State Government on Monday unveiled an ambitious roadmap aimed at ending the persistent culture of blackouts and establishing a 24-hour electricity market powered by private sector investment, smart metering and independent power generation.
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, disclosed this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, where he highlighted the achievements and strategic direction of the ministry under the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Ogunleye said the state had commenced aggressive reforms following the implementation of the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024, describing it as a major step toward positioning Lagos as the leading subnational electricity market in Africa.
According to him, the administration targets between 95 and 100 per cent grid availability, full metering penetration and a reduction in energy losses to single digits by 2030.
“The administration’s plan for a farewell to the culture of blackouts rests on strong regulatory institutions, investor-friendly policies, independent power generation and full metering,” he said.
The commissioner disclosed that the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission had already commenced licensing operators, enforcing regulatory standards and strengthening consumer protection mechanisms within the emerging electricity market revealing that 14 licences and permits had so far been issued to compliant operators, while the state plans to commence a 100 per cent metering initiative from July 2026.
Ogunleye further disclosed that the state was developing an Artificial Intelligence-powered monitoring system known as the “Electric Eye of Lagos” to provide real-time visibility across electricity trading and power delivery activities statewide.
He added that Lagos was finalising market rules, grid interface guidelines and consumer supply codes to support a competitive and investor-friendly electricity ecosystem.
Speaking on power generation, the commissioner stated that Lagos currently has 12 Independent Power Producers under regulation, with seven already fully operational commercially saying the state government was also facilitating strategic energy infrastructure projects to improve power reliability and industrial growth.
Among the projects highlighted was the 37.7-kilometre Badagry electricity infrastructure corridor, which includes three high-voltage distribution towers crossing the Gbaji Lagoon as well as the rehabilitation of 33kV lines linking Gbaji, Seme, Owode and Apa.
Ogunleye also announced plans for the Lekki-Epe Integrated Energy Corridor, which will feature a 132kV bulk transmission line stretching from Ajah to Alaro City alongside a parallel gas pipeline network.
The commissioner stated that the government had significantly expanded public lighting infrastructure through the deployment of 42,000 smart solar streetlights across major roads and highways in the state.
According to him, 22,000 conventional streetlights had already been replaced with solar-powered systems along major corridors including Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos Island Expressway and Ikorodu Road adding that nearly 40,000 solar-powered streetlights are currently operational across Lagos.
On interventions in public institutions, Ogunleye said Gbagada General Hospital now enjoys between 21 and 22 hours of uninterrupted electricity daily following the installation of 2MVA and 1MVA transformers.
He added that renewable energy upgrades had also been completed in 52 secondary schools and 11 primary healthcare centres through lithium-ion battery replacement projects.
In the oil and gas sector, the commissioner said Lagos was positioning itself as a leader in clean transportation through compressed natural gas and electric vehicle infrastructure.
According to him, 244 vehicles had already been converted to compressed natural gas, while 17 CNG stations are expected to become operational before the end of 2026.
He further disclosed that over 80,000 households across the state now have access to cleaner cooking energy through the government’s LPG expansion programme.
Ogunleye said the state was also developing the Oshodi Energy Hub, a multi-purpose facility expected to provide LPG, PMS, AGO, CNG, electric vehicle charging and vehicle conversion services.
On mineral resources, the commissioner stated that the ministry had intensified enforcement against illegal dredging, sand overloading and unauthorised land reclamation while strengthening environmental monitoring operations disclosing that designated mining sites had been approved at Ilamija, Kajola, Orimedu and Akodo to support the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.
Ogunleye reiterated the state government’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive and sustainable energy future for Lagos through stronger regulations, private sector participation and strategic infrastructure investments