The ongoing transformation of Ogun State’s energy sector has taken a centre stage as the State’s energy team, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, Mr. Jide Onakoya, revealed the giant strides that have been made in that sector.
Onakoya, made the revelation while featuring on the State Television (OGTV) morning programme, New Dawn, where he unveil the strategic roadmap behind the ambitious “Light Up Ogun” initiative.
He provided residents with an in-depth discourse on the policies, infrastructure and institutional reforms, that had driven Ogun State’s quest for energy independence and economic competitiveness.
The Special Adviser explained further that the “Light Up Ogun” initiative had gone far beyond the installation of solar panels and power cables, as the State had leverage the opportunities created by the 2023 Electricity Act to establish a fully localised electricity market, capable of reducing dependence on the national grid and overcoming longstanding structural deficiencies in power supply.
He noted that a major milestone in the reform process was the establishment of the Ogun State Electricity Regulatory Commission (OGSERC), which stood as the regulatory backbone of the State’s emerging electricity market.
Onakoya said the Ogun State Generation Company is expected to drive baseline power generation through key projects, including the 4MW gas-fired power plant at the Oke-Mosan Secretariat and the proposed 30MW turbine facility at Onijanganjangan.
He clarified that, Ogun State Transmission Company would oversee localised transmission networks aimed at ensuring stable power delivery and reducing grid disruptions, while the Ogun State Distribution Company was expected to collaborate with private investors and electricity distribution companies to provide reliable and cost-reflective electricity services to residents and businesses.
He further disclosed that the government’s immediate focus was the State’s industrial corridors, including Agbara, Ota and Ogijo, which were expected to benefit from major hybrid power projects such as the proposed 125MW Agbara Solar Project.
According to him, the long-term vision was to extend the initiative across all 20 local government areas of the State within the next two to three years.
Onakoya, also called on residents to support the initiative by protecting power infrastructure from vandalism and ensuring prompt payment for electricity consumed, stressing that public cooperation would play a critical role in sustaining the independent power projects and ensuring the long-term success of the “Light Up Ogun” agenda.