Lagos Targets End to Blackouts With Ambitious 24-Hour Electricity Plan

The Lagos State Government has unveiled an ambitious roadmap aimed at ending the long-standing culture of blackouts and delivering uninterrupted electricity supply across the state through private sector investment, independent power generation, smart metering, and expanded energy infrastructure. 

Speaking during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the seventh anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, said the state is positioning itself to become Africa’s leading subnational electricity market. 

According to the commissioner, the initiative is backed by the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024 and targets between 95 and 100 percent grid availability by 2030, alongside full metering coverage and reduced energy losses. The government said the strategy will rely heavily on investor-friendly policies, stronger regulation, and independent power generation. 

As part of the reforms, the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) has begun licensing operators and strengthening consumer protection mechanisms within the evolving electricity market. The state also plans to commence a statewide metering programme in July 2026 to tackle estimated billing and improve transparency in electricity distribution. 

The government further disclosed plans for major energy infrastructure projects, including the 37.7-kilometre Badagry electricity corridor and the Lekki-Epe Integrated Energy Corridor, expected to support industrial growth and improve power reliability across key economic zones. 

In addition, Lagos said it has deployed thousands of solar-powered streetlights across major highways and upgraded renewable energy systems in schools and healthcare centres as part of efforts to deepen sustainable energy adoption. 

However, the ambitious plan has drawn mixed reactions from electricity distribution companies (DisCos), which warned that scrapping electricity band classifications without significantly improving supply could create market distortions and consumer dissatisfaction. Industry operators argued that achieving universal metering and stable supply would require substantial funding and infrastructure expansion. 

Despite the concerns, the Lagos government insists the reforms are necessary to build a resilient, investor-driven energy market capable of supporting round-the-clock power supply for Africa’s commercial capital.