On Saturday, states across Nigeria were plunged into darkness once again as the national electricity grid collapsed, dropping power generation to a mere 70.60 megawatts by 4 p.m. This marked the seventh grid collapse in 2024, following similar incidents earlier in the year on February 4, March 11, March 12, March 28, April 10, and April 15. The collapse occurred despite an earlier surge in power generation to nearly 4,000MW.
During the inauguration of the Presidential Economic Coordination Council in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu addressed the ongoing energy crisis, calling the country’s low electricity generation “shameful.” He highlighted the urgent need to enhance the nation’s oil, gas, and electricity sectors, and emphasized the necessity of expanding both generation and distribution.
Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) revealed that power output initially climbed from 3,788.63MW to 3,976.24MW on Saturday morning but plummeted to just over 70MW later in the day. The Trans-Amadi Gas Turbine Power Plant in Rivers State was the only facility providing electricity to the grid, generating a minuscule 0.80MW. By 5 p.m., power generation had slightly increased to 72.30MW as TCN engineers worked to restore the grid.
Several power distribution companies (DisCos) confirmed the collapse, with widespread outages reported across Nigeria. The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Kano DisCo, and Ikeja DisCo all issued statements informing customers of the system failure and apologizing for the disruption. Many areas, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states, were affected.
The constant grid failures have led to mounting frustration. Emeka Okorie, an industry commentator, raised concerns about the materials used in building the grid, the management of the power sector, and the lack of accountability. He criticized the increasing tariffs despite poor service delivery and urged the government to address the underlying issues plaguing the system.
Similarly, the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Adewale Oyerinde, called on the government to urgently upgrade the national power grid. He emphasized that the frequent collapses disrupt electricity supply and negatively affect the country, urging swift action to ensure a stable and reliable power system.
As Nigeria continues to face its energy challenges, the need for substantial reforms in the power sector remains more critical than ever.