By Kayode Olopade
The Lagos State Government on Monday unveiled an ambitious energy reform agenda aimed at ending persistent blackouts, deepening private sector participation and establishing a 24-hour electricity market powered by independent generation, smart technology and aggressive infrastructure expansion.
Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, disclosed this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, where he outlined the strategic direction of the ministry under the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Ogunleye said the reform drive gained momentum following the implementation of the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024, which he described as the legal foundation for transforming Lagos into Africa’s leading subnational electricity market.
According to him, the state is targeting between 95 and 100 per cent grid availability by 2030, alongside universal metering and a significant reduction in technical and commercial energy losses.
“The administration’s vision for a farewell to the culture of blackouts is anchored on strong regulation, investor-friendly policies, independent power generation and universal metering,” Ogunleye stated.
He revealed that the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission had already commenced licensing of operators, enforcement of market standards and consumer protection oversight within the emerging electricity market framework.
The commissioner disclosed that 14 licences and permits had so far been issued to qualified operators, while a statewide metering initiative designed to achieve 100 per cent metering coverage would commence in July 2026.
In a move to modernise electricity governance, Ogunleye announced that the state was developing an Artificial Intelligence-powered monitoring platform, tagged the “Electric Eye of Lagos,” to enable real-time monitoring of electricity generation, distribution and trading activities across the state.
He added that Lagos was finalising market rules, grid interface guidelines and electricity supply codes to strengthen investor confidence and create a more competitive and efficient power ecosystem.
The commissioner further disclosed that the state currently regulates 12 Independent Power Producers (IPPs), with seven already operating commercially.
Highlighting key infrastructure projects expected to boost power reliability and industrial growth, Ogunleye said the government had commenced work on the 37.7-kilometre Badagry electricity infrastructure corridor, including the construction of three high-voltage distribution towers across the Gbaji Lagoon and rehabilitation of 33kV lines linking Gbaji, Seme, Owode and Apa communities.
He 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 expected to support industries and residential developments within the rapidly growing axis.
On public lighting infrastructure, Ogunleye said the government had deployed 42,000 smart solar streetlights across major highways and strategic roads statewide.
According to him, 22,000 conventional streetlights have already been replaced with solar-powered alternatives along major routes including the Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ikorodu Road and Lagos Island corridor.
He noted that nearly 40,000 solar-powered streetlights are currently operational across the state.
Providing updates on energy interventions in public institutions, the commissioner disclosed that Gbagada General Hospital now enjoys between 21 and 22 hours of uninterrupted electricity daily following the installation of new 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, Ogunleye said Lagos was positioning itself as a major clean transportation hub through aggressive expansion of compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicle infrastructure.
According to him, 244 vehicles have already been converted to CNG, while 17 CNG stations are expected to become operational before the end of 2026.
The commissioner further disclosed that more than 80,000 households across Lagos now have access to cleaner cooking energy through the government’s LPG expansion programme.
He 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 and environmental enforcement, Ogunleye disclosed that the ministry had intensified operations against illegal dredging, sand overloading and unauthorised land reclamation activities across the state.
He added that designated mining locations had been approved in Ilamija, Kajola, Orimedu and Akodo to support construction activities linked to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to sustainable development, Ogunleye said Lagos would continue to pursue resilient energy policies, strategic private sector partnerships and large-scale infrastructure investments aimed at guaranteeing reliable electricity supply for residents and businesses.
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