UYO, Nigeria — The Federal Government says it plans to generate up to 540 megawatts of electricity from a new aluminum plant in Akwa Ibom State, a move officials say will accelerate Nigeria’s industrialization and ease the country’s long-standing power challenges.
The project, expected to operate under a public-private partnership, will serve both as a major power source and a hub for aluminum production in southern Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu hailed the initiative as a “strategic milestone” in his administration’s efforts to strengthen the energy sector.
“This project demonstrates our unwavering commitment to reliable power supply and job creation,” Tinubu said in a statement released by his media office. “The aluminum plant will not only produce high-quality materials but also generate clean, steady energy that supports homes and industries alike.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, an indigene of Akwa Ibom, praised the project as a symbol of national development and regional pride.
“This is not just an Akwa Ibom achievement — it’s a Nigerian victory,” Akpabio said during a Senate briefing in Abuja. “We are witnessing the kind of forward-thinking investment that will define the next chapter of our industrial economy.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu said the plant’s 540-megawatt capacity would significantly boost the national grid and attract industrial investments to the South-South region.
“The synergy between power generation and industrial production here is exactly what we need to stabilize the grid and grow local manufacturing,” Adelabu said.
Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno described the project as a “transformational opportunity” for the state, pledging full cooperation with the federal authorities and private investors.
“My administration is ready to provide land, infrastructure, and every support needed to make this a success,” Eno said. “This project will create jobs, attract investors, and make Akwa Ibom a key player in Nigeria’s energy future.”
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) also welcomed the initiative, saying it could ease the chronic power shortages that hinder production.
“This is the kind of infrastructure investment we’ve been advocating for years,” said MAN President Francis Meshioye. “Reliable electricity is the foundation of industrial growth.”
Experts believe the project could serve as a model for integrating manufacturing with energy generation across Nigeria, potentially inspiring similar projects in other states.
When completed, the Akwa Ibom aluminum plant is expected to stand as one of the largest of its kind in West Africa — producing aluminum products while supplying electricity to the national grid.
