Tech & Power Generation, Grids, West Africa

Nigeria transmission equipment stranded for 20 years leaves port in a first batch of 98

14th November, 2026

Nigeria has cleared the first 98 of more than 300 containers of transmission equipment that sat at its ports for nearly 20 years, and the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, says the government is working to release the remaining 200-plus without further delay.

Engineers will test the first 98 containers of Nigeria’s long-stranded transmission equipment and refurbish what needs it before the equipment goes out to project sites, after an inspection found most of it useful and viable, according to a statement from the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, issued on 7 November. The equipment is intended for expanding the grid, including relieving overloaded substations and completing projects that stalled while it waited at the ports. “This is a significant first step, and we are working to secure the release of the remaining 200+ containers without further delay,” Tegbe said.

Nigeria Customs Service approved the release on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, and the Comptroller-General of Customs said it resolved “outstanding charges and administrative bottlenecks”, pledging that Customs would work with the minister until every container is released and appealing to terminal operators for their support.

“For nearly 20 years, over 300 containers of transmission equipment sat stranded at our ports,” Tegbe said in the statement, which credited Customs, the Nigerian Ports Authority, terminal operators and the Transmission Company of Nigeria for the release.

Images: Unsplash

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