The Federal Government has begun engagements with electricity distribution companies to develop proposed Energy Zones aimed at delivering 24-hour electricity supply to homes, businesses and industries in major demand centres across the country.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, announced this at a closed-door meeting with the leadership of selected distribution companies to discuss the proposed initiative, which targets the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridors.

The meeting was disclosed in a statement issued yesterday by the minister’s media aide, Adeola Adelabu.

The statement read, “In furtherance of the Federal Government’s commitment to deliver reliable electricity to Nigerians, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has held a strategic closed-door meeting with the leadership of select electricity distribution companies over the proposed Energy Zones, designed to deliver stable, 24-hour power supply to homes, businesses and industries in the country’s highest-demand areas, namely Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Enugu-Port-Harcourt.”

The initiative is designed to address electricity distribution constraints and ensure that power generated and transmitted to the national grid reaches consumers more reliably, particularly in areas with high commercial and industrial demand.

According to the statement, Tegbe said the challenges facing the power sector extended beyond electricity generation and transmission to the capacity of distribution companies to receive and deliver available electricity to end users.

“The constraint on the sector is not limited to generation and transmission but includes how much power is taken up and delivered at the distribution end,” the statement quoted the minister as saying.

He said the proposed Energy Zones would help close the gap, unlock commercial and industrial demand, and improve the revenue and collection performance of distribution companies.

The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding electricity infrastructure in areas with high demand, noting that supply capacity must grow in line with the needs of Nigeria’s expanding economy.

The proposed zones are expected to focus on locations where reliable electricity is critical to businesses, manufacturing and other productive activities.

However, the statement did not provide a timeline for implementation, the proposed capacity of the zones or the specific infrastructure investments required to deliver round-the-clock supply.

The engagement, according to the statement, forms part of Tegbe’s commitment upon assuming office to adopt a disciplined and phased approach to addressing the sector’s longstanding challenges.

It also aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies reliable electricity supply as a key driver of economic growth, industrialisation and job creation.

The distribution companies and energy firm represented at the meeting were Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group.

The proposed Energy Zones come amid persistent concerns over the reliability of electricity supply and the ability of distribution companies to deliver available power to consumers.

Heads of tertiary institutions in Rivers State are expected to attend the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) scheduled for Nairobi, Kenya, next year.

The conference is billed for January 13-15, 2027.

Those expected to attend the conference are the Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi; Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu; and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Ogoni, Prof. Chinedu Mmom.

Others are the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Georgewill; Vice-Chancellor of Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Prof. Marwan Al-Akaidi; and Vice-Chancellor of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Prof. Christie Nwidu Mato.

Also expected at the three-day event are the Rector of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses Neebee; Provost of Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. Peace Chigozirim Amadi; Provost of Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Dr. Fori Dori Okoroh, and Rector of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, Dr. George Chile Wadike.

Briefing journalists in Port Harcourt, the spokesperson for the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), Dr. Emmanuel Nkweke, said registration of delegates for the conference has commenced.

Nkweke said that the theme of the conference is ‘Learning in Action, Shaping Our Future,’ adding that the conference is expected to be one of the largest educational gatherings ever held in Africa.

According to him, the conference will serve as a platform to bring together education leaders, policymakers and development partners from different parts of the world to deliberate on the role of education in advancing and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He said the decision to invite more educational leaders from Rivers State was informed by the State’s recent performance as one of the best in quality education assessment in the federation.

Nkweke added that IAWPA is ready to partner with the Ministry of Education to promote quality education in the State.

“Interestingly, IAWPA had earlier this year announced the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Saakpenwa/Koroma, Ogoni, as one of the SDG Centres in Africa, which is a very big plus for Rivers State,” he said.

The IAWPA spokesperson added that the conference would feature side events where vice-chancellors from Rivers State will be called upon to present papers on education.

It would be recalled that through IAWPA, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Saakpenwa/Koroma, Prof. Chinedu Mmom, led a high-powered delegation to the United Nations Innovate for Cities Conference held on June 21, 2026, at the UN headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Appropriation (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill, 2025, extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget from September 30, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

The amendment was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, before being transmitted to the President for assent.

According to a statement issued last Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the extension will give Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) additional time to complete ongoing capital projects.

The statement said the move would ensure that funds already appropriated are fully utilised without disrupting critical government programmes.

So This Happened (EP 429) reviews: Wike reveals G5 strategy to weaken Atiku in 2023

“The extension gives Ministries, Departments and Agencies more time to complete ongoing capital projects,” the statement said.

“It ensures that funds already appropriated are fully put to work for Nigerians, without disrupting critical programmes.”

Tinubu also commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for what the statement described as the prompt consideration of the amendment.

The president said the development demonstrated continued cooperation between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in the interest of the country.

The amendment therefore allows the Federal Government to continue implementing the 2025 budget until December 31, 2026, instead of the earlier September 30 deadline.