“Another Power Grid Collapse Strikes Nigeria, Exposing Deep-Seated Issues”
For the second time this week—and the eleventh time in 2024—Nigeria’s fragile power grid collapsed yesterday, leaving the nation in the dark.
The incident came just 24 hours after a committee set up by the federal government submitted a report addressing the frequent collapses, raising public and sector-wide frustration.
Electricity generation and distribution companies face mounting financial losses, while citizens grow increasingly exasperated. Industry experts warn that without swift action, these blackouts will continue. They cite critical issues like outdated equipment, poor maintenance practices, and inadequate gas supply as the primary causes.
According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), yesterday’s collapse occurred due to a sudden frequency spike from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz.
TCN’s Ndidi Mbah confirmed recovery efforts are underway and noted that substantial repairs and upgrades are planned for the grid. Yet, TCN cautions that instability will likely persist until these improvements are fully implemented.
Major distribution companies, such as Ikeja Electric and Eko DISCO, issued apologies, as they work with stakeholders to restore power. Engineers and experts are calling for a strategic overhaul and substantial investments, including decentralized grid infrastructure, to reduce the frequency of these blackouts.
