The presidency has clarified Nigeria’s power export to Niger, Togo, and Benin. Responding to reports of persistent blackout at the country’s borders despite continuous electricity export, President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman Garba Shehu dismissed the claim as exaggerated and misleading. He highlighted that 90 percent of the electricity generated in the country is utilized by Nigerians. The last review in 2019 showed that the credit extended to Niger, Benin, and Togo amounted to $69 million.
In a press release, it was stated that the reported figure was inaccurate and outdated. The actual cost of electricity generated from 2018-2019 was around N1.2 trillion ($4 billion). Over 90% of the electricity generated was consumed domestically. The power exported to neighboring countries was based on an agreement to prevent them from damming the waters that feed Nigeria’s major power plants. The indebtedness of Niger and Benin stood at $16 million and $4 million respectively.
The bilateral agreements aim to ensure that Nigeria and its neighbors avoid the situation seen with the Nile River. The presidency advised the newspaper to seek clarification from the market operator, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to enhance its standing in the public arena.